USA F1 Student Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens 2025

Are you a Nigerian citizen looking to study in the United States? This page outlines the USA F1 Student Visa requirements you’ll need to meet to make your American educational dreams come true.

The United States is one of the most popular destinations for students all around the world. This is because it offers a world-class education system, economic opportunities, and super-friendly people. However, if you are a Nigerian student and wish to study in the United States, ensure that you fully understand the requirements for obtaining an F1 student visa.

Failure to meet these requirements may result in your application being rejected or delayed. Hence, we put together this article to explain the USA F1 student visa requirements for Nigerian students and guide them on how to study in the USA from Nigeria.

By following our guidelines closely, you will ensure that your educational dreams become a reality. And if you have any questions or need assistance, kindly let us know in the comment box below.

Table of Contents

1 What is a US Student Visa?

What is a US Student Visa?

A USA Student Visa is a visa that allows students to study in the United States at US government-approved and designated colleges or universities. The visa can be used for both undergraduate and graduate studies. With a USA Student Visa, Nigerian students can access high-quality education and participate in internships, research programs, and other activities related to their studies.

This type of visa also allows students to work part-time on campus and gain invaluable experience in their field of study while studying in the US. In addition, students with F-1 Student Visas can also transfer to various institutions or universities to change educational programs after notifying the USCIS of the change.

What are the Criteria for Obtaining a USA F1 Student Visa?

To even qualify to apply for an F1 Student Visa from Nigeria, you must meet certain conditions set by the US Embassy, such as:

Have a Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSCE or WAEC). Firstly, applicants must have a Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSCE). This document proves that you have completed secondary education and are ready for further studies. But, a degree from a recognized university should suffice if you are applying for graduate studies in the USA.
Have an English language competency exam (IELTS or TOEFL). Additionally, all students must demonstrate language proficiency by providing proof of either TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Be admitted as a full-time student at a SEVP-accepted institution. Applicants must provide evidence of admission into an approved school listed on the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) list, which meets the conditions and accept international students. Therefore, before applying to your desired colleges or universities, you should check the SEVP to verify if those institutions are listed there. If yes, you can provide them with whatever documentation they need to make an admission decision. If not, you should not apply because you will not be granted a student visa even if accepted into the school.
Show strong ties to your home country. It will be more challenging to obtain an F1 visa if you do not demonstrate and provide documentation showing you have strong ties to your native country and intend to return home when your study program ends.
Evidence of Financial support. One essential item among these criteria is evidence of financial support. This means having bank statements and other documents that show you have enough funds available to cover tuition fees and other costs like living expenses while studying in the US. It’s vital to ensure all requirements are met when applying for a student visa from Nigeria, including proof of finances, as it will help make sure that your application process goes smoothly, and you get approved quickly.

USA F1 Student Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens

As the USA is one of the top countries for Nigerian students, it’s no surprise that many are interested in learning more about F1 Student Visa requirements.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the requirements, the process involved, and what you will need to make sure your visa application is successful.

The requirements for Nigerian students to successfully get US Student Visas:

A passport that is valid for at least six (6) months after the duration of your visit.
Recent passport-sized photos.
DS-160 Confirmation page.
Form I-20.
Payment receipt of application fees for SEVIS.
Application for non-immigrant status.
Documents attesting to your current and previous schooling. (i.e., Original transcripts and Acceptance letters).
Proof of purchased health insurance.

How to Apply for an F1 Student Visa from Nigeria?

The F1 student visa application process takes the following steps:

Obtain your admissions documents from the SEVP institution.
Apply online by completing the DS-160 form.
Make payment for the application fee.
Pay the SEVIS I-901 application fee.
Schedule your F1 visa interview.
Submit the file along with the relevant F1 visa documents.
Attend the interview for a student visa.

#1. Obtain your admissions documents from the SEVP institution.

After you apply and are accepted to the institution of your choice, they must fulfill various procedures before you can apply for the F1 visa. Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is your most important document. You will be unable to apply for an F1 student visa and attend your interview unless you have this form.

#2. Apply online by completing the DS-160 form.

After obtaining your Form I-20, you will need to complete the DS-160 application form. This form can be found online on USCIS’ website.

#3. Make payment for the application fee.

You must pay the application fee and obtain a receipt, which you will need for your interview documents later. In Nigeria, the application fee for a student visa is $160 (75,000 Naira).

#4. Pay the SEVIS I-901 application fee.

When accepted to a SEVP institution, your school registers you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System right away (SEVIS). There is a SEVIS I-901 charge for full registration. This price is $350 (158,000 Naira) for the SEVIS fee in Nigeria.

#5. Schedule your F1 visa interview.

You must schedule your interview after filing the DS-160 form and paying the fees. The interview is a vital step to receiving your F1 student visa. But, ensure that you choose an early date, as there may be delays due to the heavy workload at the US Embassy. Once you book it, you will receive an interview appointment letter, which you will require later in the application process. Find out more about preparing for USA F1 Visa Interview here!

#6. Submit the file along with the relevant F1 visa documents.

Before you go to your interview, you should prepare your file with the necessary F1 student documents.

#7. Attend the interview for a student visa.

When you appear for the student visa interview, the questions will primarily focus on your reasons for visiting the United States and the institution you will be attending. In addition, the interviewer will attempt to determine whether you intend to return to your home country after finishing your degree. Learn more about preparing for USA F1 Visa Interview here!

You may also like the following:

How long does it take to get an F1 visa in Nigeria?

In most cases, you will receive a response on this visa immediately following your interview. The interviewer may congratulate you on obtaining the visa or provide you with a blue paper informing you of the reason for the denial at the end of the visa interview. The interview is the final step for the US Embassy to determine whether or not to issue the visa.

However, there are instances where the response and processing of the F1 visa takes a few days, so be patient if this occurs.

How long are F-1 visas valid?

The US Embassy will issue you a one-year visa if your study program takes a year to complete. But, if your degree program lasts two years and you only have a one-year visa, you should apply to renew it later. In this instance, renewing the F1 visa is the best alternative.

The validity of your F1 visa is mentioned on your I-20 form and I-94 form, which you are handed when you enter the United States.

Suppose you are renewing your visa; you must follow the same steps. You may be eligible to avoid the interview because you already have one, and your intention is to continue your education for the remaining years to obtain your degree.

If your visa is approved, you may travel to the United States 30 days before the start of your program. However, you cannot enter the United States before that day.

Must Read: Work Permit after Study in the USA for Nigerian Students

U.S. Embassy in Nigeria Address

Abuja Adress:

ADDRESS: Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
CITY: Abuja
FAX: (234)-9-461-4036
PHONE: (234)-9-461-4000
WEBSITE: http://abuja.usembassy.gov

Lagos Adress:

ADDRESS: American Consulate General in Lagos
2 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos
CITY: Lagos
PHONE: (+234) 1-460-3400
FAX: (+234) 1-261-2218
WEBSITE: http://lagos.usembassy.gov

Please note that Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-4:30 pm, except for US federal holidays observed by the embassy’s staff but not by local employees.

Final word

In conclusion, if you are a Nigerian citizen and want to attend an American college or university, you will need a student visa. The requirements for this visa can vary depending on the school you are attending. We have carefully explained the USA F1 Student Visa requirements above to help in the process.

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