EB-3 Visa for Nigerians: Can Your Family Come Too?

If you're a Nigerian planning to move to the U.S. through the EB-3 visa, one of the first questions you may have is: Can my family come with me?

It's an important concern and one we hear from Nigerian professionals and parents all the time. The short answer is yes, but there are some important details you need to understand.

In this post, we’ll break down exactly who qualifies as “family” under the EB-3 visa, what the process looks like, and how to avoid mistakes that could delay your family’s American journey.

Who Can You Include on an EB-3 Visa?

If you’re approved for an EB-3 visa, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are eligible to come with you as derivative beneficiaries. That means they don’t need their own employment-based sponsorships and you include them in your case.

Each family member receives their own visa, but it’s tied to your primary application. Once you enter the U.S., they also receive permanent resident (green card) status, just like you.

Eligible family members include:

• Your legally married spouse

• Children under 21 who are not married

• Stepchildren, if the marriage occurred before the child turned 18

How the Process Works for Your Family

When applying for the EB-3 visa from Nigeria, you’ll need to complete the DS-260 visa application form for each family member. All applicants must undergo the same required steps:

• Medical exam from a U.S.-approved physician in Lagos or Abuja

• Collection of civil documents (e.g. birth, marriage certificates)

• Visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or Consulate in Lagos

Usually, your family will attend the interview with you, or shortly after. Once the visa is issued, all of you must enter the U.S. within the visa’s validity period to receive your green cards.

Do Your Family Members Get Work and Study Rights?

Yes. Once in the U.S., your spouse and children will be classified as lawful permanent residents.

Here’s what that means:

• Your spouse can apply for a work permit and take up any job in the U.S.

• Your children can attend school, public or private, and later apply for in-state tuition as residents

• Everyone has the right to live, travel, and work freely in the U.S. as permanent residents

This is one of the key advantages of the EB-3 visa over temporary visas like H-1B or visitor routes: it leads directly to full green card status for your whole family.

Key Reminders for Nigerian Applicants

While the EB-3 visa does allow your family to immigrate with you, it’s critical to handle their documentation with care. Based on our work with Nigerian applicants, here are common areas to watch out for:

🔹 1. Accurate Civil Documents

• Provide original marriage certificates (not court affidavits alone)

• Birth certificates must match the child’s official name and parentage

• Be ready to explain any name differences or document inconsistencies

🔹 2. Medical Exams and Police Reports

• Every family member, even young children, must complete a medical exam

• Adults must provide police clearance from all countries where they’ve lived

🔹 3. Visa Fees

Each family member has their own visa processing fee and medical exam costs so budget accordingly. A family of four will incur more total expenses than a solo applicant.

What If Your Family Can’t Travel at the Same Time?

It’s ideal for all family members to travel together. But sometimes, life makes that difficult especially if a child is in school or a spouse is waiting on work resignation.

In these cases, your family may enter the U.S. after you, using what’s called the “follow-to-join” process. This must be planned correctly and requires:

• That your family is listed on your original I-140 petition

• Proper coordination with the U.S. Embassy for their interview timeline

If done incorrectly, follow-to-join can lead to long delays or even lost eligibility so professional guidance is strongly recommended. We can help you with this but please be advised that we need to plan this out in advance and cannot apply for this easily on short notice.

Final Thoughts: The EB-3 Path Is for Families Too

For many Nigerian applicants, the EB-3 visa is a better future for their children and family. It's also incredible that your children and spouse can have their own dreams for what they want in the future.

The good news is: U.S. immigration law supports that dream. Your family can absolutely join you on the path to permanent residency. But it requires the right paperwork, the right timing, and the right expectations.

At InvestMigrate, we help Nigerian families navigate every stage with clarity and confidence.

Want to know if your family qualifies for EB-3 sponsorship?

Contact us for a free consultation or learn more on our EB-3 Visa Program page.