So you’re a Nigerian citizen who wants to bring your family to live with you in the United States. Great! Having your loved ones with you in your new home is a big part of building a life in America.
But first, you need to navigate the US visa application process. Getting approved for family-based immigration can be complicated, with lots of paperwork and waiting periods. The rules differ depending on your situation – whether you’re applying for a spouse, fiance(e), child, parent, or sibling.
This blog post explains the step-by-step process for getting visas for your family members in Nigeria so they can come to the US to live with you.
Overview of the Family-Based Immigration Process
There are several ways a family member can immigrate to the US:
- Immediate relative visa – for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of adult US citizens
- Family preference visa – for married adult children, siblings, and grandchildren of US citizens and permanent residents
- Fiancé visa – for foreign fiance(e)s of US citizens planning to marry within 90 days of arriving in the US
No matter which visa you apply for, the process involves these general steps:
- Petitioner (US citizen/permanent resident) files I-130 petition
- Beneficiary submits visa application and supporting documents
- Interview at the US Embassy/Consulate in Nigeria
- Medical exam
- Visa approval and issuance
- Entry to the US
Next, we’ll look at the specifics of each visa category.
Spousal Visa
If you are a US citizen who wants to bring your spouse from Nigeria to live with you, you must apply for an immigrant visa in the immediate relative category. Here’s how:
Step 1: File Form I-130
As a US citizen petitioner, you must file Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form establishes your relationship with your spouse and initiates the visa process.
Processing times for I-130 petitions vary but can take 8-12 months.
Step 2: Submit Visa Application
Once the I-130 is approved, your spouse can apply for an immigrant visa by submitting:
- Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application)
- civil documents proving the relationship (marriage certificate)
- Financial support forms
- Other supporting documents
Step 3: Attend Interview
Your spouse will be scheduled for an interview at the US Embassy in Abuja or Consulate in Lagos. This is to verify your marriage is legitimate and that your spouse is eligible for a green card. Your spouse can have a lawyer attend the interview for support.
Step 4: Undergo Medical Exam
Your spouse must complete a medical exam at an approved clinic as part of the application process. The results will be shared with the consular office.
Step 5: Receive Immigration Visa
If approved, your spouse will be issued an immigrant visa in their passport. This allows them to enter the US and apply for a green card.
Your spouse must enter the US within 6 months of getting the visa.
Child Visa
For minor children unmarried and under 21, the process to immigrate to the US is similar:
Step 1: File I-130 Petition
As a US citizen parent, you file Form I-130, establishing your relationship with your children.
Step 2: Submit Visa Application
Once approved, your child can apply for an immigrant visa by submitting:
- Form DS-260
- Birth certificate
- Financial support forms
- Other evidence of a relationship
Step 3: Interview
Your child must attend an immigrant visa interview at the US Embassy in Lagos or Abuja.
Step 4: Medical Exam
Your child will also undergo a medical exam with vaccination updates.
Step 5: Obtain Visa
If approved, your child will receive an immigration visa to travel to the US within 6 months.
Parent Visa
US citizens who want to bring their parents to America can file for an immigrant visa in the immediate relative category. Here’s how:
Step 1: File I-130 Petition
You must file Form I-130, establishing your parent-child relationship as a US citizen. Parents of permanent residents aren’t eligible.
Step 2: Submit Visa Application
Once the I-130 is approved, your parent submits their visa application, including:
- Form DS-260
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate)
- Financial support forms showing you can support your parent
Step 3: Interview
Your parent must attend an immigrant visa interview at the US Embassy in Nigeria.
Step 4: Medical Exam
Your parent must also undergo a medical exam.
Step 5: Obtain Visa
If approved, your parent will receive an immigration visa to enter the US within 6 months.
##Sibling Visa
For US citizens who want to bring their brothers and sisters to America, you can file for a family preference visa. Here’s how:
Step 1: File I-130 Petition
As the petitioning US citizen, file Form I-130 establishing your relationship with your sibling.
Step 2: Waiting Period
Unfortunately, siblings sometimes face a long wait time – up to 13+ years! Sibling visas fall into preference category 4, which has strict annual limits.
During this time, your sibling must maintain their eligibility.
Step 3: Submit Visa Application
Once a visa is available, your sibling can submit their visa application, including:
- Form DS-260
- Birth certificate
- Financial support forms
- Other documentation
Step 4: Interview and Medical Exam
Your sibling must complete an interview at the Embassy and undergo a medical exam.
Step 5: Obtain Visa
If approved, your sibling will receive an immigration visa to enter the US.
Fiance(e) Visa
If you are a US citizen with a foreign fiance(e) in Nigeria, you can bring them to the US to get married through the K-1 fiance(e) visa process. Here are the steps:
Step 1: File Petition
You must file Form I-129F establishing your intent to marry your foreign fiance(e) within 90 days of their arrival in the US.
Step 2: Submit Visa Application
Once the I-129F is approved, your fiance(e) can apply for a K-1 visa by submitting:
- Form DS-160
- Proof of relationship
- Financial documents and more
Your fiance(e) must remain unmarried until arriving in the US.
Step 3: Interview
Your fiance(e) will attend a K-1 visa interview at the US Embassy in Nigeria.
Step 4: Medical Exam
They will also undergo a medical exam for immigration purposes.
Step 5: Obtain Visa
If approved, your fiance(e) will receive a K-1 fiance(e) visa, which allows them to enter the US and get married within 90 days.
After marriage, they can apply for a green card.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Provide as much evidence as possible to prove genuine relationships
- Be prepared for processing delays and long wait times
- Seek legal help if your case is complex or you’ve had issues like visa denials
- Fees add up, so account for costs of petitions, applications, medical exams
- Communicate with your family members during the process
Bringing family to the US can be challenging but very rewarding. You can successfully navigate the visa process with proper documentation, patience, and legal support. Visit www.workliveincanada.com for more tips on living in America!
