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

Step 1: Create an account online

You MUST create an account online with our customer service provider before you can schedule or reschedule an appointment. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

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, you will receive an SMS and email notice on the phone number and email address provided on this link. It is therefore important that you provide the correct information. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Nigeria

As soon as you receive your appointment date, 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. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors at least two weeks before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview.  We've created a checklist that will tell you what to bring.  Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

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

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Consulate General can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate General. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Starting November 17, 2021, it is now mandatory for all applicants (who are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine) to receive the full series of COVID-19 vaccinations before scheduling their medical examination. Applicants who have not taken the full dose of the vaccination will be unable to complete the medical examination process. Kindly ensure that you have taken and completed your COVID-19 vaccination before your medical appointment date. Please plan accordingly as you cannot attend your immigrant visa interview at the Consulate without your medical report. 
 

Approved Physicians

Dr. Samuel Ahadi Baghuma
Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC), Lagos 
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
1 Isaac John Street (At the Corner of Isaac John Street and Oduduwa Way),
GRA Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Booking e-mail: iomlagosmedicalbooking.iom.int
IOMLagosClinicalTeam@iom.int   
Phone: +2348022264059, 09092156079, 09099991256

Dr. Ade Alakija
Q-Life Family Clinic
Plot 155A Prince Ade Odedina Street
Off Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island Annex
Website for Bookings:
https://www.qlifefamilyclinic.com/usim-terms-and-conditions
Fees & requirements:
https://www.qlifefamilyclinic.com/resources/IME-US-REQUIREMENT.pdf
Email address: usmedicals@qlifefamilyclinic.com,
Secondary: qlifecare@hotmail.com
Phone: 01-6290365, Cell: 0809-974-2000 (Ext 112), 0811-397-5433, 08022525452

Dr. Aden Guliye
Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC)-Abuja,
Iternational Organization for Migration (IOM)
No. 55 Hassan Musa Katsina Road, Asokoro, Abuja
Booking email: iomabujamedicalbooking.iom.int; IOMAbujaClinicalTeam@iom.int
Phone: +234(0)8085221427, 08095637898 or 07032898491

Items to bring to your medical examination

You should 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.
  

Please 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 three (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

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, chest X-ray and blood tests. The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. All tests are concluded in a day except for applicants requiring additional investigations. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available here.

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant vaccination requirements are available here. You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements online.

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 if it is not stated on your interview letter.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Please use the below list of items that EVERY applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview.

*** Any documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. You must bring the ORIGINAL version of the documents listed below PLUS one photocopy. If you do not bring the original documents, the consular officer will not be able to finish your interview or issue a visa. If you do not bring a photocopy, the original will be retained at the consulate. We charge $1.00 per page for making photocopies at the consulate. ***

*** In many cases, the Consulate will request you to upload certain documents to your case at ceac.state.gov/iv prior to your interview date. This information will be sent via email to the email address on file. Please follow the Consulate’s instructions for uploading the requested documents and bring the original documents you uploaded to the interview. Failure to upload copies of the documents ahead of time or bring the original documents to the interview will result in delays in processing your visa.***

• A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or Visa 92/Visa 93 applicants).
  
  
• Unexpired passport valid for six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
  
  
• Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch).  Please 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 birth certificate and a photocopy. All beneficiaries must submit a valid birth certificate. If born in Nigeria after 1992, it must be a National Population Commission (NPC) birth certificate. If born in Nigeria prior to 1992, you must obtain an Attestation of Birth from the NPC.

• Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying).
  
  
• 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 bring these additional 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 and a photocopy.

If you or your spouse were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate, and a photocopy. 

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, and a photocopy.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records, and a photocopy.

If you are adopted:  Adoption papers or custody documents, and a photocopy.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, and a photocopy 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 and a photocopy.

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Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos

If you need to send us any documents, please DO NOT mail them to us directly. Instead, drop them off at the DHL Service Center at Plot 230 Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Please do not send any original documents to us unless we ask you to do so; only send photocopies via this service. You should bring original documents (plus a photocopy for the consulate’s files) to your visa interview.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please contact support-nigeria@ustraveldocs.com or the call center at +234-1-227-8955.There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa became available within the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you request to reschedule your interview.

Please note: You need to create an account online with our customer service provider (see Step 1) before you can reschedule an appointment. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Consulate General must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by Consulate General security personnel will be unable to enter the consular section. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. 

Accompanying Persons

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview. Only the following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English well enough to participate in an interview. 
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child. 

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please 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 only. 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 consulate general while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will alert you via SMS and email when your passport is ready to be picked up (see Step 1 for information about the required online registration for this service). If you have to travel within Nigeria while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision 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 sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa. 

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because the officer needs to review additional documents, or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Consulate or submit the documents online. Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of your case, please wait at least 60 days after your interview. 

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We may also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage. If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you 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) prior to 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 six (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 automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in 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:  Please 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 in compliance with their rules. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, 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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Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants. 

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

• Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website
• Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two (2) years of qualifying work experience in the last five (5) years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online).
• Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee for each visa applicant.

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the DV application. You can review the full DV eligibility requirements online.

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