Lagos EB-3 Interview 2025: New Two-Visit Requirement Guide

For most Nigerian EB-3 applicants I work with, the interview stage is where anxiety peaks. You've waited months, sometimes years, for this moment. Your employer has invested in your PERM labor certification and I-140 petition. Your family's future hinges on what happens in Lagos over the course of a few critical appointments.

And as of January 1, 2025, the process at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos became significantly more complex.

If you're preparing for a Lagos EB-3 interview in 2025, you now face a mandatory two-visit requirement. This isn't optional, and it's not going away. The consulate implemented this policy to improve document verification and reduce processing errors, but it also means more time, more travel, and more careful planning on your part.

I'm writing this guide to walk you through exactly what happens at each visit, what documents you need, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that can delay or derail your approval. This is based on the most current procedures as of 2025, and I'll be direct about what you can control and what you cannot.

What is the Two-Visit Requirement?

The Lagos EB-3 interview process now happens in two separate appointments:

Visit 1: Document Review and Verification This is an in-person appointment with consular staff (not the consular officer). They review your submitted documents for completeness and authenticity. This typically happens 2-4 weeks before your formal interview.

Visit 2: Consular Officer Interview This is your formal immigrant visa interview with a U.S. consular officer. If your documents passed the first review and you answer the officer's questions satisfactorily, you'll receive visa approval.

You cannot combine these visits. You cannot skip Visit 1. Both are mandatory, and both require you to appear in person at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos.

Why Did Lagos Implement This Change?

From what I've observed working with Nigerian clients, the consulate was facing significant backlogs and document-related delays. Too many applicants were arriving at interviews with incomplete or questionable documentation, which led to administrative processing delays, 221(g) refusals, and rescheduled interviews.

The two-visit system allows consular staff to catch document issues early, request corrections, and ensure that by the time you sit down with the consular officer, your file is clean. In theory, this should reduce processing times and approval delays.

In practice, it means you need to be more prepared than ever before.

Visit 1: Document Review - What You Need to Know

When Does It Happen?

After you receive your interview appointment letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), you'll be scheduled for your document review appointment. This typically occurs 2-4 weeks before your consular interview date, though exact timing can vary.

What Happens During Visit 1?

You'll meet with consular staff who will:

• Verify that all required documents are present

• Check that documents meet U.S. government standards (proper formatting, translations, authenticity)

• Review your passport for validity (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended U.S. entry date)

• Confirm that your medical examination results are complete and current

• Ensure your police clearance certificate is valid
  

This is not the interview. You will not meet with a consular officer at this stage. The staff conducting this review are focused entirely on paperwork.

What Documents Must You Bring?

You must bring original documents and copies. Here's the complete list:

Required Documents:

• Valid Nigerian passport (original + photocopy)

• Birth certificate from the National Population Commission (original + photocopy)

• Police clearance certificate from CID Headquarters in Lagos or your state CID (original + photocopy)

• Medical examination results from a U.S. embassy-approved panel physician (sealed envelope - do not open)

• Form DS-260 confirmation page (printed)

• 2x2 passport photographs (U.S. visa photo standard)

• Employment offer letter from your U.S. employer (original + photocopy)

• I-797 Notice of Action (I-140 approval notice)

• Civil documents (marriage certificate if applicable, divorce decrees, death certificates if previously married)
  

Important Notes:

• All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations

• Your medical exam must be less than 6 months old at the time of Visit 1

• Your police clearance certificate must be current (typically valid for 1 year from issuance, but confirm with the consulate)
  

What Happens If Documents Are Rejected?

If any document is deemed incomplete, improperly formatted, or questionable, the staff will inform you immediately. You will not proceed to Visit 2 until the issue is resolved.

Common rejection reasons include:

• Expired medical exams

• Police certificates missing required stamps or signatures

• Birth certificates that don't match passport names exactly

• Missing translations for non-English documents

• Passport validity issues
  

If you're asked to provide additional documentation or corrections, you'll need to resubmit and may face delays in scheduling your Visit 2 appointment. This is why preparation matters.

Note: I always advise my clients to have their documents professionally reviewed before Visit 1. Small errors that seem insignificant can cause weeks of delays.

Visit 2: The Consular Officer Interview

When Does It Happen?

If your documents pass the Visit 1 review, you'll proceed to your scheduled consular officer interview 2-4 weeks later. You'll receive confirmation of your appointment date and time.

What Happens During the Lagos EB-3 Interview?

This is the formal immigrant visa interview. A U.S. consular officer will:

• Review your case file (which now includes your verified documents from Visit 1)

• Ask you questions about your job offer, your employer, and your intentions in the U.S.

• Assess whether you meet the requirements for the EB-3 visa category

• Determine whether to approve, deny, or place your case in administrative processing
  

What Questions Will You Be Asked?

The consular officer's questions will focus on your employment and intentions. Common questions include:

• What job have you been offered in the United States?

• What will your duties be?

• Have you met your employer? (Most EB-3 applicants have not, and that's acceptable so don't panic and answer honestly that you have not)

• Why do you want to move to the United States?

• Do you understand that this is a permanent immigrant visa, not a temporary work visa?

• Are you bringing family members with you?
  

Your answers should be honest, direct, and consistent with the information in your application. Do not exaggerate your qualifications. Do not claim skills you don't have. The officer is assessing whether you're a genuine applicant for the job you've been offered but it's very important that your answers remain consistent.

What Documents Should You Bring to Visit 2?

Even though your documents were reviewed at Visit 1, bring everything again:

• Your passport

• DS-260 confirmation page

• Interview appointment letter

• I-797 approval notice

• Any additional documents requested during Visit 1
  

What Happens After the Interview?

If approved, the consular officer will keep your passport and issue your immigrant visa. You'll be instructed to pick up your passport with the visa stamp at a designated DHL location in Lagos, typically within 7-10 business days.

If placed in administrative processing (221(g) refusal), the officer will explain what additional information or review is needed. This can add weeks or months to your timeline, and there's little you can do to speed it up.

If denied, the officer will provide a written explanation. Denials are rare for EB-3 cases if your documents are in order, but they do happen if the officer believes there's fraud, misrepresentation, or ineligibility.

Timeline: How Long Does the Two-Visit Process Take?

From the time you receive your NVC interview letter to the time you receive your visa (assuming approval), expect:

• Visit 1: Document review appointment (1 day)

• Waiting period: 2–4 weeks

• Visit 2: Consular interview (1 day)

• Visa processing and passport return: 7–10 business days
  

Total timeline from first appointment to visa in hand: approximately 4-6 weeks, assuming no document issues or administrative processing.

However, if you encounter document problems at Visit 1, or if your case goes into administrative processing after Visit 2, this timeline can extend significantly.

Common Mistakes Nigerians Make with the Lagos EB-3 Interview

Starting Document Preparation Too Late

Many applicants wait until they receive their interview letter to begin gathering documents. By then, it's often too late. Police clearance certificates can take weeks. Medical exams must be scheduled with approved physicians who may have long wait times.

Start gathering your documents as soon as your I-140 is approved. Don't wait for the NVC to contact you.

Assuming Visit 1 is Just a Formality

Some applicants treat the document review as a minor step and show up unprepared. If your documents are rejected at Visit 1, you will not proceed to Visit 2 on schedule. This can delay your entire case by weeks or months.

Treat Visit 1 with the same seriousness as Visit 2. Your documents must be perfect.

Not Understanding Document Validity Windows

Your medical exam is only valid for 6 months. Your police clearance certificate has its own validity period. If too much time passes between when you obtain these documents and when you attend Visit 1, they may expire.

Plan your document collection carefully so that everything is current when you attend your appointments.

Bringing Family Members Who Aren't Part of the Application

The consulate is clear: only the applicant (and any derivative applicants, such as your spouse or children included in your petition) should attend the appointments. Bringing extended family members or friends can create unnecessary confusion and delays.

Failing to Dress Appropriately or Act Professionally

This is a formal U.S. government proceeding. Dress as you would for a professional job interview. Be polite, respectful, and direct in your answers. Avoid casual language or behavior.

I've seen applicants hurt their chances simply by treating the interview too casually.

FAQs About the Lagos EB-3 Interview Process

Can I reschedule my Visit 1 or Visit 2 appointments?

You can request a reschedule through the NVC, but this will delay your entire case. Rescheduling should only be done in emergencies. The consulate does not look favorably on frequent rescheduling requests.

What if I can't travel to Lagos twice?

The two-visit requirement is mandatory. There are no exceptions. If you live outside Lagos, you'll need to plan for two separate trips or arrange extended stays in Lagos between visits.

Can I attend Visit 1 and Visit 2 on the same day?

No. The consulate explicitly separates these appointments by 2-4 weeks to allow time for document verification and processing.

What happens if I'm placed in administrative processing?

Administrative processing (221(g)) means your case requires additional review. This can involve security clearances, employment verification, or document authentication. Processing times vary widely—anywhere from a few weeks to several months. There is no way to expedite this process.

Do I need a lawyer or consultant for the interview?

You are not required to have representation, but I strongly recommend working with a licensed immigration consultant or attorney. The consequences of errors at this stage are too severe to navigate alone, and the process is more complex than many applicants realize.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for Success in Lagos

The Lagos EB-3 interview process is more demanding in 2025 than it has ever been. The two-visit requirement adds complexity, cost, and time to an already lengthy process. But it's also manageable if you approach it with the right preparation and realistic expectations.

Here's what I tell every Nigerian client I work with:

First, you need financial resources. This process is expensive. Beyond my consulting fees and government fees, you'll need to cover travel to Lagos twice, accommodation, document preparation, and the ability to support yourself and your family during what may be an 18-30 month timeline from start to finish.

Second, you need patience and commitment. The two-visit system is designed to catch problems early, but it also means more waiting. You must stay committed to the process even when it feels slow or frustrating.

Third, you need professional guidance. I've worked with hundreds of Nigerian families navigating this process. The clients who succeed are the ones who prepare thoroughly, follow instructions carefully, and don't cut corners on documentation.

The EB-3 visa remains one of the most reliable paths to U.S. permanent residency for Nigerians. The Lagos interview process is challenging, but it's not impossible. With proper preparation and honest guidance, you can navigate both visits successfully and move forward with your immigration journey.

Ready to get started? Contact us for an EB-3 visa consultation.