Important Update:  Effective January 1^st, 2025, you MUST visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process.

First Visit: In-Person Document Review

Your first visit to the U.S. Consulate in Lagos is for an In-Person Document Review with a consular staff member to ensure you are prepared for your visa interview.  This mandatory review will give you an opportunity to retrieve any missing documents ahead of your visa interview to avoid delays in processing your application.

You do not need to schedule an appointment for the In-Person Document Review.  The Consular Section will notify you via email of the document review appointment date which will be approximately two to four weeks ahead of your visa interview.

Second Visit: Visa Interview

Your second visit is for the visa interview with a Consular Officer.  The visa interview will occur on the date and time scheduled for you by the National Visa Center (NVC).  If you do not complete the In-Person Document Review before your visa interview, you will be required to reschedule your appointment.

Please follow the steps below to prepare for your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Nigeria.

Step 1: Get a medical exam in Nigeria

As soon as you receive your appointment date from NVC, you must schedule a medical exam in Nigeria. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctor’s offices in Nigeria. Schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your In-Person Document Review appointment. 

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 2: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It’s important that you bring all required original documents to both the In-Person Document Review and the visa interview. We have created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Print the checklist below and bring it to your In-Person Document Review along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 3: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Step 4: Pick up documents from OIS Services

You MUST create an account online with our customer service provider at https://www.usvisaappt.com/visaapplicantui/login. Creating an account online gives us the information we need to return your passport and documents to you after your interview.

When your documents are ready for pickup following your interview, you must schedule an appointment at https://appointment.oisservices.com/.   You can then retrieve your documents on your scheduled pick-up date at either of the following addresses:

THE DHL OFFICE
PLOT 230, MURI OKUNOLA ST.
VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

or

DHL OFFICE ABUJA
HAFSAT PLAZA
472 ABOGO LARGEMA ST.
CENTRAL DISTRICT, ABUJA

Free pick-up hours are from 10:00am to 3:00pm every Monday to Friday, except Nigerian holidays.  Scheduling is free.  Visit your profile for more information on additional pick-up locations.  Please note other locations may have a fee for pick-up.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

Everyone applying for an immigrant visa, no matter how old they are, must have a medical exam before they get their visa. Only a physician approved by the U.S. Consulate General is allowed to do this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa appointment at the U.S. Consulate General. Medical exam results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved physicians

International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC), Lagos 
Address: 1 Isaac John Street (At the Corner of Isaac John Street and Oduduwa Way),
GRA Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Website for bookings: https://mymedical.iom.int/apps/omas/#_frmHome
Fees and requirements: https://nigeria.iom.int/migration-health-assessment-centre-mhac
Phone: +02-014-656-600
E-mail: iomlagosmedicalbooking@iom.int

Q-Life Family Clinic
Plot 155A Prince Ade Odedina Street,
Off Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos
Website for bookings: www.qlifefamilyclinic.com
Phone: 08-099-742-000, 08-113-975-433

International Organization For Migration (IOM)
Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC), Abuja
Address: No. 55 Hassan Musa Katsina Road (at the junction of Hassan Musa Katsina Road and J-K Gadzama Street)
Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
Website for bookings: https://mymedical.iom.int/apps/omas/#_frmHome
Fees and requirements: https://nigeria.iom.int/migration-health-assessment-centre-mhac
Phone: Tel +02014656600
E-mail: iomabujamedicalbooking@iom.int

Items to bring to your medical examination

Bring the following items to your medical exam:

• Your visa interview letter,
• Your international passport and 1 copy of the biodata page,
• A copy of your immunization records, eyeglasses/contact lenses, specialist reports, and medication (if applicable)
• DS-260 confirmation page                                         

Allow at least 7 days to complete the medical examination process from start to finish. Make sure that you do not book your exam more than 3 months before your scheduled immigrant visa interview at the consulate. You must pay all medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, directly to the examining physician.

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During the medical exam

• A medical history review,
• A physical exam,
• A Chest X-ray,
• Blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older),
• Gonorrhea testing (for applicants 18–24 years of age, or as needed)
• Tuberculosis testing (for applicants two years of age and older).

Your physician may request other tests as needed. Be prepared to discuss your medical history, the medications you are taking, and the current treatments you are receiving. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to get certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available on CDC.Gov. There you can find information on what vaccines you need based on your age. You can also read Frequently Asked  Questions about our medical exam requirements at Travel.State.Gov.

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will provide you a copy of your vaccination records and Chest X-Ray CD. Your medical report will be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate. You DO NOT need to bring the x-ray CD to your visa interview unless otherwise stated on your interview letter.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Bring an English translation

Any documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. You must bring the original version of your documents along with the translation.  If you do not bring the original documents, you may face delays in processing your immigrant visa application.

Upload your documents to CEAC

Upload your documents at ceac.state.gov/iv before your In-Person Document Review appointment. Follow the Consulate’s instructions for uploading and bring the original documents with you. Failure to upload copies of the documents ahead of time or failure to bring the original documents to the interview may result in significant delays in processing your visa.

For fiancé, Visa 92 and Visa 93 applicants

In addition to the required original documents, Fiancé(e) visa and Visa 92/Visa 93 applicants must also bring one photocopy of all documents.

EVERY applicant must bring these items to their immigrant visa interview:

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to fiancé(e)visa, adoption visa, or Visa 92/Visa 93 applicants).
  
  
• Unexpired passport and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
  
  
• Two (2) color photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Review our online photo requirements.
  
  
• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv.
  
  
• Your original government issued birth certificate.
  
  
• Original or certified copies of government issued birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not immigrating with the principal applicant.)
  
  
• Additional identification documents used over the last 10-15 years. This may include your voter registration card, previous passports, school records, WAEC results, or any other document. ID cards that are past their expiration date may be used for this purpose.

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should also bring these documents:

For family-based visa applications:

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.
  
  
• Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
  
  
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are married:  Your original marriage certificate.

If you were previously married:  Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence, any countries where you lived for more than one year after the age of 16, and any country where you have been arrested. If you previously submitted a police certificate to NVC, it is more than two (2) years old, and you still live in that country, you must obtain and bring a more recent police certificate to the interview as the one you previously submitted will have expired.

For employment-based visa applications:  Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime:  Court and criminal records

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent.

If you are the petitioner’s sibling or parent: The petitioner’s original birth certificate.

If you are the petitioner’s fiancé(e): One photocopy of all documents in addition to the originals.

If you are a V92 or V93 applicant: One photocopy of all documents in addition to the originals.

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Interview Guidelines

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your visa interview appointment, send an email to LagosIV@state.gov. In the email subject line write: M11 – LGS number(Case number).

There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment. For some family-based and employment-preference visa categories, there is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you request to reschedule your interview.

Rescheduling is only possible on a date after the initial interview appointment date assigned to you by NVC.

Security screening procedures

Everyone visiting the U.S. Consulate General must follow certain security rules. If you refuse to go through security screening, you won’t be allowed to enter. To avoid delays for yourself and others, only bring what you need for your appointment.

Accompanying People

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview. Accompanying people must have an original (not a copy) and valid ID such as their international passport, driver’s license or voter’s card. Only the following people may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if the language they speak cannot be translated by the U.S Consulate staff.
• Special Needs Visitors:  Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.  Minor children must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or other closely related adult with parental responsibilities, who lives with them.  

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview. All fees may be paid in either U.S. dollars or Naira. We accept cash or American debit or credit cards. Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found here.

Do not make travel plans outside of Nigeria

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the U.S. Consulate General while we print the visa. Take this into account when making travel plans.  We will alert you via SMS and email when your passport is ready to be picked up (see Step 4 for information about the required online registration for this service).

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can decide on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not quit your job, sell your property, or make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer refuses a visa application to review additional documents or for administrative processing.

For additional documents:

• The consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents.
• The letter will include instructions on how to submit those documents to the consulate.

For administrative processing:

• This means the consulate needs more time to review your case.
• How long this takes depends on your specific situation.

Wait at least 60 days after your interview before asking about your application status.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – Review your visa, located inside your passport, for spelling errors. If we give you a sealed envelope, do not open it. You must carry it with you in your carry-on bags. Do not put it in your checked luggage. This envelope contains documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities at the first port of entry in the United States. If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, also have these in your carry-on bags and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee – All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are:  children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a fiancé(e) (K) visa.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually 6 months from the date of your medical exam. Your visa cannot be extended, and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Children of U.S Citizens must enter the United States before they turn 18 years old, otherwise they lose the ability to automatically become a U.S. citizen under the Child Citizenship Act. Children of LPRs who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21^st birthday to avoid losing immigrant status unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be mailed to the address in the United States that you provide on your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives:  consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are following their rules. Once your card is issued, if you stay outside of the United States for more than one year you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custody papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

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