U.S. Consulate Introduces Two-Visit Requirement for Immigrant Visa Applicants Starting January 2025

The United States Embassy has announced a significant update to the immigrant visa application process for applicants scheduled for interviews at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. Beginning January 1, 2025, applicants will now be required to visit the consulate twice as part of the visa application procedure.

The Embassy disclosed this update on its official X (formerly Twitter) page, explaining that the two-visit process is aimed at ensuring better preparation for visa interviews while minimizing processing delays.

According to the Embassy’s statement, the first visit will involve an In-Person Document Review conducted by consular staff. This step is designed to verify the applicant’s documentation and identify any missing requirements ahead of the interview.

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“This review ensures applicants are adequately prepared for their visa interviews. It provides an opportunity to retrieve any missing documents ahead of time, helping to avoid delays in the application process,” the Embassy stated.

The second visit will be the actual visa interview, overseen by a Consular Officer. This appointment will be scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).

The Embassy emphasized that failure to complete the In-Person Document Review before the visa interview will result in the applicant being required to reschedule the interview.

“These changes aim to improve efficiency and reduce delays caused by incomplete documentation,” the statement added.

Transition to New Visa Services Provider

In a related development, the U.S. Embassy transitioned to a new visa services provider for both the Abuja and Lagos consulates on August 26, 2024. The move is part of ongoing efforts to streamline and enhance visa processing services in Nigeria.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Embassy’s official website for more details on the new procedures and to stay informed about any further updates.