What documents do I need to move to United States as a Nigeria citizen?

Typical pathway: Work Visa

Last verified: September 22, 2026

Nigerian international passport (machine-readable, valid 6+ months beyond intended stay) (before) — Source: https://ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-appointmentschedule.asp
Original Nigerian passport with at least two blank visa pages; validity must extend at least six months beyond the intended period of stay in the U.S. Required to pay the MRV fee, schedule the interview at Abuja or Lagos, and receive the visa foil.
USCIS Form I-797 Notice of Action (approved I-129 petition) with receipt number (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
Employer-obtained approval notice for the H-1B/H-2/L/O petition. The receipt number as printed on Form I-129 or I-797 is needed to complete the DS-160 and to book the consular interview; carry a copy (or original supplied by employer) to the interview.
DOL-certified Labor Condition Application (Form ETA-9035) copy (before) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations
For H-1B specialty occupation cases, the DOL-certified LCA is filed by the employer with Form I-129; the employer must also give the worker a copy. Useful evidence of wage and worksite terms at the interview and for later compliance.
DS-160 confirmation page with matching AA00 barcode (before) — Source: https://ng.usembassy.gov/new-requirements-for-visa-interviews-april-11-2025/
Printed confirmation page of the completed online nonimmigrant visa application. Since April 22, 2025, applicants in Abuja and Lagos must present a DS-160 whose confirmation/barcode number matches the one used to book the appointment.
MRV visa application fee receipt (petition-based category) (before) — Source: https://ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-appointmentschedule.asp
Proof of payment of the petition-based nonimmigrant visa fee (currently US$205, payable in Naira through the designated bank/online channel in Nigeria). The receipt number is needed to schedule the interview; fees are non-refundable — verify the current amount on the official Nigeria visa services site.
Digital visa photograph (plus one printed 2x2 inch print as backup) (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
A recent colour photo meeting State Department photo specifications, uploaded during the DS-160. If the upload fails, one printed photo in the required format must be brought to the interview. Distinct from passport photocopies — this is a fresh biometric-standard photo of the applicant.
Proof of the $100,000 H-1B proclamation payment or DHS exception (employer-held) (before) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/presidential-proclamation-on-restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers
For new H-1B petitions filed at or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on Sept 21, 2025 for a beneficiary outside the U.S. without a valid H-1B visa, the petitioner must file pay.gov proof of the $100,000 payment or evidence of a DHS exception. Applies to most Nigeria-based first-time H-1B applicants; the measure is subject to litigation and possible expiry — verify current status with USCIS before travel.
Academic credentials: degree certificate, academic transcript and NYSC discharge certificate (before) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations
Originals of the Nigerian (or foreign) bachelor's/higher degree, official transcripts, and the NYSC discharge/exemption certificate where applicable, to evidence the specialty-occupation qualification claimed in the petition.
U.S. credential evaluation report for the Nigerian degree (before) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129
Independent evaluation showing the Nigerian qualification is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher (or an experience-equivalency evaluation where a degree is substituted by qualifying work experience). Normally submitted by the employer with Form I-129; keep a copy for the interview.
Employer support letter and applicant CV/résumé (before) — Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/temporary-worker-visas.html
Letter from the U.S. petitioner confirming job title, duties, salary, worksite and start date, plus the applicant's résumé covering education and work history, which consular officers in Abuja/Lagos may request to establish qualification.
Social media identifiers and public account settings confirmation (before) — Source: https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/
H-1B, H-3 and H-4 applicants (among others) are instructed by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria to set all social media accounts to 'public' before the interview, and all handles/usernames for the past five years must be declared on the DS-160.
Dependent civil documents for H-4 spouse and children (NPC marriage and birth certificates) (before) — Source: https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/
Original Nigerian marriage certificate for the spouse and original birth certificates for unmarried children under 21, issued by the National Population Commission/registry, for accompanying H-4 applicants. Court-affidavit declarations of age are generally not accepted in place of a registered certificate — confirm with the post.
U.S. state professional licence or registration (regulated occupations) (before) — Source: U.S. state professional licensing board (varies by state)
For licensed roles (e.g. medicine, nursing, pharmacy, engineering), the applicable U.S. state licence, or the exam/credentialing evidence such as NCLEX/CGFNS or USMLE-ECFMG results, must be in place as required by the petition. Requirements vary by state — verify with the relevant state licensing board.
Passport bearing the issued visa foil plus original I-797 for CBP inspection (during) — Source: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors
At the U.S. port of entry the traveller presents the visa-stamped passport together with the original/copy of the I-797 approval notice; admission and status are granted by CBP, not by the visa itself.
Form I-94 electronic arrival/departure record printout (during) — Source: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov
After admission, retrieve and print the electronic I-94 from the CBP portal. It shows the class of admission and 'admit until' date and is the controlling evidence of lawful status for employment, SSN, DMV and banking purposes.
Form I-9 employment eligibility verification with the U.S. employer (during) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9
Completed on or before the first day of work, using the Nigerian passport with the nonimmigrant visa plus the Form I-94 admission record as List A documentation.
Social Security Number application (Form SS-5) and SSN card (during) — Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)
Apply in person at a Social Security office (or via the SSN-at-entry option if elected on the visa application) with passport, visa, I-94 and I-797. Allow time for DHS record verification after arrival before applying.
State driver's licence or REAL ID-compliant state identification card (after) — Source: State Department of Motor Vehicles / DHS REAL ID programme
Issued by the state DMV on presentation of passport, visa, I-94, I-797 and SSN (or SSA denial letter) plus two proofs of state residency. Validity is usually limited to the authorised stay; document lists differ by state — verify with the state DMV.
Form I-765 employment authorisation application for an eligible H-4 spouse (after) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
Only H-4 spouses of H-1B workers who have an approved I-140 or AC21-based extension beyond the sixth year may apply for an EAD; the card must be approved before the spouse may work.
Form I-129 extension/amendment filing and annual U.S. tax records (after) — Source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129
Employer-filed extension or amendment (change of employer, worksite or material job change) to maintain status, together with the worker's W-2 and Form 1040 filings — and Form W-7 ITIN applications for dependents ineligible for an SSN. These records are commonly requested at future visa renewals in Abuja or Lagos.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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