The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced a new immigration visa application procedure that will take effect from January 1, 2025. Under the updated guidelines, Nigerian applicants with scheduled interviews will be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice during the application process.

In a statement shared on its official social media platform, the embassy explained that the new procedure aims to streamline the process and reduce delays. “For applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, it will be mandatory to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice as part of the immigrant visa process,” the statement read.

The two required visits are outlined in detail on the embassy’s website. The first visit will involve an “In-Person Document Review,” where consular staff will assist applicants in ensuring all necessary documents are in order before the interview. This step is intended to prevent any delays caused by missing documentation.

The second visit will be the actual visa interview, conducted by a Consular Officer, which will be scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC). Applicants who do not complete the document review before their interview will need to reschedule their appointment.

These changes are part of the embassy’s ongoing efforts to improve visa processing efficiency and minimize delays related to incomplete documentation. Additionally, the embassy transitioned to a new visa services provider for its Abuja and Lagos consulates on August 26, 2024, as part of broader efforts to enhance its services.