How to Obtain a Visa in Nigeria

Obtain a valid passport. The passport should be issued by your country of citizenship. It should have at least one blank page for the appropriate visa stickers and stamps, and it should also be valid for at least six months after your intended departure from the United States.

Fill out the DS-160 visa application online (see Resources). The visa application is done entirely online. It will ask several questions about you, including full name, education, current employment, citizenship information, passport information, and why you wish to come to the United States. At the end of the application, it will prompt you with a confirmation page. This page needs to be printed and signed. It will be submitted later as part of the application package.

Take two additional passport photos. These photos must be 5cm x 5cm, facing forward, and in color against a white backdrop. These photos must be taken within the previous six months.

Understand the reasoning for the United States visa process. The U.S. government's main concern is making sure that the visa applicant will return to Nigeria. When applying for a nonimmigrant visa (e.g. study visa or tourist visa) to the United States, you must show sufficient ties to Nigeria to prove that you will be returning.

Gather all appropriate documentations to show ties with Nigeria. Documentation to prove these ties can be established through proof of work documents, investment documentation, or documentation of other ties to Nigeria. The more documentation you have the better prepared you will be for the interview and the better chances you will have in receiving your visa.

Pay the visa application fee and any additional service charges. As of April 2010, the visa application fee was $131.

Make an appointment with the Nigerian Embassy. The appointment can be made online (see Resources). You must print out the appointment letter confirmation and bring it to the appointment. At your appointment time, you must have with you your passport, passport photos, DS-160 confirmation page, and all documentation you need to show sufficient ties to Nigeria.