United States for Nigerians

Study in the United States

Study starts with admission to a school approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which issues Form I-20. You then pay the SEVIS fee and, if applying in Nigeria, attend the visa process through the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, Nigerians who were outside the United States and did not hold a valid visa on 1 January 2026 are generally suspended from entering on F, M or J visas, subject to the stated exceptions and case-by-case waivers. Applications and interviews may continue, but a visa may not be issued. The proclamation did not revoke visas that were valid on its effective date. Check the current restriction before paying a school deposit.

Proof of funds to cover the first year of tuition plus living costs, as shown on the Form I-20. Confirm the exact figure with your school and the U.S. Mission.

Work in the United States

The main skilled route is the H-1B specialty-occupation visa, which needs a sponsoring employer and is subject to an annual lottery cap. Other routes include the L-1 intra-company transfer, the O-1 for extraordinary ability, and employment-based green cards such as EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3. Presidential Proclamation 10998 does not list H-1B, L-1 or O-1 among the B, F, M and J visa classes whose entry is suspended, although it directs consular officers to reduce the validity of other Nigerian nonimmigrant visas where the law permits. Employment-based immigrant visas are affected by the wider immigrant visa restrictions. Confirm the current position before relying on an offer.

H-1B specialty occupation, L-1 intra-company transfer, O-1 extraordinary ability, and EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green cards.

Permanent residency and citizenship in United States

The United States has no points system, so a green card comes mainly through an employer or a close family member, and employment cases often sit in long backlogs. As of August 2026, immigrant visa issuance to Nigerian nationals is paused, although applications and interviews may continue. Presidential Proclamation 10998 also suspends immigrant entry for affected Nigerians who were outside the United States and did not have a valid visa on 1 January 2026, subject to its exceptions and possible waivers. Diversity visa issuance is also paused. People born in Nigeria are ordinarily excluded from the Diversity Visa lottery in any event, although cross-chargeability through an eligible spouse or, in limited circumstances, a parent may apply.

Once you hold a green card, citizenship usually comes after five years, or three years if you are married to and living with a US citizen, with a civics and English test. The United States allows dual citizenship and Nigeria does too, so you keep your Nigerian passport.

Family Reunification in the United States

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for certain family members through USCIS. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens normally have no annual quota, while other family categories can face long waits. The sponsor files Form I-130 and signs an Affidavit of Support. As of August 2026, Nigerian applicants may still submit immigrant visa applications and attend interviews, but immigrant visa issuance is paused under the current State Department measure. Presidential Proclamation 10998 also suspends immigrant entry for people within its scope. Approval of a family petition does not by itself mean that a visa can presently be issued.

Spouse, children, parents and siblings of U.S. citizens (by category), and the spouse and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents.

A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who files Form I-130 and meets the income requirement for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864).

The sponsor must generally show income at or above 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the household size. Confirm current figures with USCIS.

Marriage certificate, birth certificates, proof of the sponsor's status and income, and evidence of a genuine relationship. Nigerian civil documents in English are generally accepted with certified copies.

Marriage in the United States

Marriage law is set by each state, and the licence is normally issued by the county or city clerk responsible for the place where the ceremony will occur. The age, ID, waiting-period and witness rules therefore depend on the state and county rather than one national marriage office.

The couple will normally need valid identity documents and the local marriage-licence application. A final divorce decree or former spouse's death certificate is required where relevant. Some offices may ask for additional civil records, so use the exact county clerk's checklist instead of a general US document list.

Apply to the appropriate clerk, observe any waiting period, complete the ceremony within the licence period and obtain the certified marriage certificate. Marriage to a US citizen does not automatically give a Nigerian spouse lawful status. The couple must still use the correct family petition, immigrant-visa or adjustment-of-status process, depending on where the spouse lives and their present immigration position.

Using Nigerian Documents in the United States

For immigrant visas handled in Lagos, bring the required original civil documents to the mandatory in-person document review and later interview, and upload copies to CEAC as directed. The Nigeria reciprocity schedule identifies the Police Character Certificate and gives a two-year validity period for immigrant-visa use. Other visa types have different checklists.

Ordinary USCIS and consular visa applications generally use their form or post-specific document checklists rather than Nigerian MFA authentication. For an immigrant visa, consult the U.S. Nigeria reciprocity schedule for the right civil record and format.

No U.S. embassy legalization step applies to ordinary immigration applications. The United States is a party to the Apostille Convention, but Nigeria is not, so an apostille is not available for Nigerian documents. This does not affect normal USCIS filings.

Any document not in English needs a certified English translation. As most Nigerian documents are already in English, translation is rarely needed.

Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, police character certificate, and degree or transcript, depending on the purpose for which the document will be used.

Asylum & Legal Stay in the United States

A person who is physically present in the United States may seek asylum, subject to the one-year filing rule and other legal restrictions. A case outside removal proceedings normally begins with Form I-589 through US Citizenship and Immigration Services. A person in removal proceedings applies defensively before an immigration judge in the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Official Asylum & Legal Stay Source

Start with the document in the person's hand and confirm whether USCIS or the immigration court has jurisdiction. Preserve the passport and arrival record, Form I-589 copy, receipts, hearing notices, decisions and evidence connected to the feared harm. The government does not appoint a free lawyer in immigration proceedings, but EOIR lists pro bono providers and recognised organisations with accredited representatives.