Article summary:
- To migrate Move to the U.S. From Nigeria in 2023, first determine your immigration category (family-sponsored, employment-based, diversity visa lottery, or refugee/asylum).
- Next, submit the appropriate forms and attend a visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in Nigeria.
- Once your visa is approved and you’re admitted into the U.S., you’ll become a permanent resident and receive your green card.
To Move to the U.S. From Nigeria in 2023 is a multi-step process that takes a lot of time, planning, and patience. Please keep in mind that this guide is not a complete list of everything. Immigration laws and rules are complicated and can change over time, so it’s important to talk to an immigration lawyer or expert to make sure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Find out what kind of immigrant you are. There are different ways to move to the US, and you need to figure out which one works best for you.
Family-Sponsored Visa: If you have close relatives who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, like a spouse, children, parents, or brothers, they may be able to help you get a family-based immigrant visa.
Employment-Based Visa: If a U.S. employer has offered you a job, they may be able to help you get an immigrant visa based on your work. EB-1 is for “priority workers,” EB-2 is for professionals with advanced degrees or extraordinary skills, EB-3 is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, etc.
Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery): Every year, the US Department of State runs a programme called the Diversity Visa Lottery. People from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. are chosen at random for this programme. If you’re from Nigeria, you’ll need to check if you’re qualified because countries with high immigration rates aren’t eligible.
Refugee or Asylum Status: You may be able to ask for refugee or asylum status if you are being persecuted in your home country.
Application Process: You can start the application process once you know what type of immigrant you are.
Fill out the right forms: Depending on your type of immigration, you or your sponsor (a family member or business) may need to file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For example, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, must be filled out for a visa supported by a family member.
Wait for approval: USCIS will look over your petition and let you know if it has been accepted or not. Your case will be sent to the National Visa Centre (NVC) if it is accepted.
Prepare for the interview: Once your petition is accepted and your priority date is current, you will be set up for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in Nigeria. Before your interview, you’ll need to fill out your application for an immigrant visa, get the papers you need, and get a medical exam.
Attend the visa interview: A consular officer will decide if you are qualified for a visa at the interview.
If your visa is accepted, you will get a visa packet to bring with you to the United States. When you get to the country, an immigration worker will look at your paperwork and decide if you can live there permanently.
Getting Your Green Card: If you are accepted, you are now a legal resident of the U.S. Your green card, which shows that you are a permanent resident, will be sent to you in the mail.
Remember that moving to a new country is a big choice that needs careful thought and planning. Find out as much as you can about life in the U.S., including its society, cost of living, healthcare system, etc. It’s also a good idea to learn English if you need to and to get help from people who work in immigration to help you through the process.