As per the embassy's statement, applicants who have scheduled interviews will be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice throughout the process. This update was shared on the embassy's official X page on Tuesday.
The announcement stated, “For applicants with interviews set after January 1, 2025, you must visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the immigrant visa process. This new procedure aims to assist you in preparing for your visa interview and to minimize significant delays in the processing of your immigrant visa.”
Further information on the embassy’s website indicated that the initial visit to the US Consulate in Lagos will involve an ‘In-Person Document Review’ with a consular staff member. This review is intended to ensure that applicants are adequately prepared for their visa interviews.
The embassy added, “This review allows applicants to address any missing documents prior to their visa interviews, thereby helping to prevent delays in application processing.”
The second visit will be an interview with a Consular Officer, with the date for this appointment being arranged by the National Visa Center (NVC).
It was also noted that if the In-Person Document Review is not completed before the visa interview, applicants will need to reschedule their appointment.
Additionally, in July 2024, the embassy announced that a new visa services provider would take over operations at its Abuja and Lagos consulates, starting August 26, 2024. This decision was communicated through the embassy's official website and verified social media channels.