Check the current travel warnings at the U.S. Department of State's website at Travel.state.gov. Look for travel warnings to Nigeria. Read the details of any warnings and decide whether the situation will deter you from making this trip.
Find the nearest international airport. You can fly from any international airport within the United States, but you may need at least one connecting flight. For example, if you are leaving from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, you will need to connect at least once during your trip.
Choose your travel dates. Decide whether time of day is important to you as this may limit the number of flights that will be suitable for your needs.
Ensure you have at least six months remaining on your passport after your planned departure from Nigeria. You will also need one blank visa page. If your passport does not fill these requirements, visit your local passport office to have it renewed.
Visit a travel agent or a travel website such as Orbitz or Travelocity. Provide information such as which airport you are leaving from and convey that you would like to arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. Provide your date and time restrictions as well.
Choose your flight and hotel. Many airlines fly from the United States to Lagos, such as South African Airways, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Continental Airlines. Make your selection based on the factors that are most important to you, such as availability, travel duration and airline reputation.
Contact the hotel you have booked and ask for a Letter of Invitation. You will need this letter to obtain a visa.
Visit the Nigeria Immigration Service website at Portal.immigration.gov.ng to begin your application for a new entry visa. Choose the United States as your country and click "Start Application." Log in with your Google, Yahoo! or OpenId account, and then you will be redirected to SW Global LLC. Provide your contact address and mobile phone number, and then click "Submit." Enter your billing information and click "Make Payment." Print your payment receipt. As of December 2010, the fee to apply for a visa from the United States is $112.
Complete a Visa Application Form found at Nigeriaembassyusa.org. Then go to your local photo store and have two, two-by-two inch photos taken.
Send your application to the Embassy of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008, along with your current passport, confirmation of payment to the Nigeria Immigration Service, the two, two-by-two inch photos, a Letter of Invitation from your hotel and a money order to cover the processing fee. As of December 2010, the fee is $20. All applications must be sent via FedEx, DHL, UPS or USPS Express Mail with a similar return envelope.
