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Do You Get a Green Card with the EB-3 Visa in Nigeria?

  • Writer: Joshua Godin
    Joshua Godin
  • Jul 15
  • 3 min read

If you're applying for the EB-3 visa from Nigeria, you might assume that once your visa is approved, your green card is guaranteed that it will be handed to you at the U.S. Embassy.


But here’s the truth: the EB-3 visa and the green card are not the same thing. While the EB-3 visa is your gateway to permanent residency, the actual green card comes after you enter the United States. Please keep this in mind as this will never change.


In this blog, we’ll explain exactly how the process works so you know what to expect and avoid common mistakes that can delay your permanent residency.

an open passport with many stamps

What Is the EB-3 Visa, Really?

The EB-3 visa is a type of immigrant visa, which means it is intended for people who plan to live in the U.S. permanently. But it’s still just a travel document, like any other visa stamp in your passport issued by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.


This visa allows you to:

  • Enter the United States only once as a permanent resident

  • Present your documents at the airport (called “port of entry”)

  • Be admitted by U.S. Customs as a lawful permanent resident

So, while the visa leads to a green card, it is not the green card itself.


When Do You Officially Become a U.S. Permanent Resident?

You officially become a green card holder when you arrive in the U.S. and are admitted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.


At that moment:

  • Your immigrant status changes to “lawful permanent resident”

  • Your name is entered into the U.S. government’s green card system

  • You’re eligible to live and work in the U.S. permanently


The physical green card (the plastic card itself) is not given to you at the airport. Instead, it is mailed to your U.S. address after you arrive.


How Long Does It Take to Receive the Green Card?

In most cases, your green card arrives within 30 to 90 days after you land in the U.S. This depends on:

  • How quickly you pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling

  • Whether your U.S. mailing address is correct and secure

  • General processing timelines at USCIS (which can vary slightly)


You can track the card’s delivery using a USCIS case number, which you’ll receive after entry.

Important: You must pay the USCIS immigrant fee before you travel. If not, your green card won’t be processed.

What if You Need Proof of Residency Before the Card Arrives?

When you pass through U.S. immigration at the airport, the CBP officer will place an I-551 stamp in your passport. This is your temporary proof of green card status.


The stamp:

  • Is valid for up to 1 year

  • Allows you to work, open a bank account, and apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)

  • Confirms your legal right to stay in the U.S. permanently


This stamp is extremely important and you must treat it as you would the actual green card until the physical card arrives.


Mistakes to Avoid After Your Visa Is Issued

Many Nigerian applicants make innocent but costly mistakes between visa approval and U.S. entry. Here’s how to avoid them:

❌ Mistake 1: Delaying Travel Too Long

Your visa will have an expiration date, which is often 6 months from issuance. If you don’t enter the U.S. before it expires, the visa is no longer valid.


❌ Mistake 2: Not Paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee

This fee (currently $220) must be paid online before you travel. If you skip this step, your green card won’t be mailed until you pay it and this causes long delays.


❌ Mistake 3: Using a Wrong or Temporary Address in the U.S.

The green card is sent by mail. Use an address where you or someone you trust can receive mail reliably—ideally a home address, not a hotel or temporary rental.


Final Thoughts: The EB-3 Visa Opens the Door and then The Green Card Follows

It’s easy to think the visa in your passport is the final step but in the EB-3 journey, it’s actually the beginning of your life in the U.S.


Your green card will arrive after entry, but only if you follow the steps correctly:

  • Pay the immigrant fee

  • Enter before the visa expires

  • Provide the right U.S. address

  • Keep your I-551 stamp safe


At InvestMigrate, we guide Nigerian clients through every step, not just the visa, but the entire process through to green card delivery and beyond.


Want to avoid mistakes that delay your green card?

Book a free consultation or visit our EB-3 Visa Program page to learn more.


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