An arduous trial to pass, especially as a Nigerian is attempting to get a USA visa. If you ask most people who have attempted this feat, you will probably hear that getting the Visa might be the most challenging thing they have ever done.
The truth is that getting a Visa can be difficult if you need to know the steps or procedures to follow. Beginning the journey confused is a recipe for heartbreak and failure. Moreover, your dreams or plans of going to the US are entirely squashed without that Visa.
As we all know, your Visa is your ticket to enter the US legally, and you should have it before you book your ticket. If you have plans to travel to the US, here is a summarized guide to how to get your USA visa.
Source: Emeldamorah
Categories and Types of USA Visa
There are two main Categories of Visas;
- The Non-petition Visa costs about 185 dollars for those who do not need someone (perhaps an employer, relative, or friend) to petition on their behalf. They can temporarily live in the US for a stipulated amount of time without a petition from anyone. All the applicant must do is fill out the DS–160 Online Immigrant Visa Application, follow due procedure, i.e., pay the fees, schedule the visa interview, submit the documents required of you (you should get a list of documents beforehand), and finally attend your interview.
- Petition-based Visa’s: The complete opposite of the former. This Visa requires someone who already lives in the US (perhaps an employer or relative) to petition on your behalf. This petition must be submitted before you submit your DS-160 form. The fee for this is 205 dollars.
There are types of visas attached to the categories mentioned above, and these types define your status as an immigrant in the United States. Here is a list of the types that fall under the non-petition-based category:
- US Visitor Visa (B-1 and B-2)
- C-1 Visa (Transits to the US)
- Airline or Ship Crew members (D visa)
- F -visa for students and academics
- I – Visa for media personnel and reporters
- J – visa for visitors on exchange
- T-visa for human trafficking victims
- U-visa for victims of crime
Petition based Visa includes
- L- visa for intracompany transfers. – An added fee of 500 dollars goes towards security clearances such as fraud detection and prevention.
- H- visa for temporary workers – there is a fee of 4500 dollars to bring a foreign employee to the US.
- K-visa for a fiancé or spouse of a US citizen – This costs 265 dollars.
- E – visa for investors and people of trade – an estimate of 315 dollars
- R – visa for religious workers or the clergy.
- Q – visa for international cultural exchanges.
- P – visa for sportsmen and women. (athletes)
- O – visa for people with unique abilities.
Under these types, there may be subtypes; for example, the E visa has E-1, E-2, and E-3. It is best to budget 200 to 300 dollars for the stipulated fee. That way, you are ready for any eventualities.
How much is a Ticket from Nigeria to the US?
On average, based on the airline of your choice, an economy class ticket to the US from Nigeria ranges from 1200 to 3000 dollars, with Air France being the cheapest, starting from 600 dollars.
Mind you, these are economy ticket prices, and if you are going for a business class ticket, the prices will be higher. Also, it is best to book your flight tickets weeks before your trip; you get to save more money that way.
As always, it is best to start all procedures on time. Starting your visa process on time helps if your first attempt is denied. You can have ample time to start the procedure afresh. Try not to fret so much in case of such an eventuality; try again.
