The United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced changes to its immigrant visa process, set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

In a statement shared on its official X page on Tuesday, the embassy revealed that applicants with scheduled interviews will now be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice during the visa process.

The announcement read, “For applicants with interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, you are required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process.

“This new process is designed to help you prepare for your visa interview and to prevent significant delays in processing your immigrant visa.”

Details on the embassy’s website indicate that the first visit will be for an In-Person Document Review with a consular staff member.

The purpose of this review is to ensure that applicants have all the necessary documents prepared for their visa interviews.

The second visit will involve the visa interview with a Consular Officer. This interview will be scheduled by the National Visa Center (NVC).

The statement added: “This review ensures that applicants are prepared for their visa interviews.

“The review allows applicants to retrieve any missing documents ahead of their visa interviews, helping to avoid delays in application processing.

“The second interview, on the other hand, is with a Consular Officer. The date for this interview will be scheduled for applicants by the National Visa Center (NVC).

The embassy also cautioned applicants, stating, “If you do not complete the In-Person Document Review before your visa interview, you will be required to reschedule your appointment.”

According to news reports, the United Kingdom has granted approximately 300,000 new visas to Nigerians in the last two years, highlighting the growing ties between the two nations, according to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.