📌 Quick answer: To study in the US, a Nigerian needs an F-1 student visa, which starts with an I-20 from a US school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The main costs are the $185 visa application (MRV) fee, the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee and, at posts that have started collecting it, a $250 visa integrity fee paid only when the visa is approved. Under the US State Department’s reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, F-1 visas are issued for one entry, valid for three months. You interview in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, and student applicants are asked to set their social media accounts to public.
The United States remains one of the top destinations for Nigerian students, especially for master’s and PhD programmes with funding. But the process has become stricter since 2025: visas for Nigerians are shorter, almost everyone now attends an in-person interview, applicants’ online presence is reviewed, and a new fee has been added.
This guide sets out the current rules from the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, so you know what to pay, what to prepare and what to expect at the interview.
F-1 Visa Costs for Nigerians
| Fee | Amount | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application (MRV) fee | $185 | Before booking your interview |
| SEVIS I-901 fee (F-1) | $350 | Before the interview, after you receive your I-20 |
| Visa integrity fee | $250 | Only if your visa is approved, at issuance, where the post has started collecting it |
| Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee for Nigerians | None | — |
| Total if approved | $785 |
About the $250 visa integrity fee
The visa integrity fee was created by US legislation in July 2025 and applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants, including students and their dependants. It is collected when the visa is approved, not when you apply, and some consular posts began charging it in 2026. It is described as refundable to visa holders who comply with all the visa’s conditions, but the refund process was still being finalised. Budget for it.
What the Single-Entry, Three-Month Visa Means
In July 2025, the US changed its reciprocity schedule for Nigeria. The State Department’s current table lists F-1 visas for Nigerians as one entry with a three-month validity. This does not limit how long you can study:
- The visa is for entry. Students are admitted for “duration of status”, meaning as long as you keep your student status and your I-20 is valid.
- You must enter within the visa’s validity. With a three-month visa, plan to travel soon after it is issued. F-1 students may enter the US up to 30 days before the programme start date on the I-20.
- If you leave the US, you will usually need a new visa to return. A single-entry visa is used up when you enter. Think carefully before travelling home during your studies.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Get admitted and receive your I-20. Apply to a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once you are admitted and have shown proof of funds, the school issues Form I-20.
- Pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee online to DHS, using the SEVIS ID on your I-20. Print the receipt.
- Complete the DS-160 online application form. List all your social media handles used in the past five years, exactly as asked.
- Pay the $185 MRV fee and book your interview through the official US visa appointment system for Nigeria, choosing Abuja or Lagos.
- Prepare your documents (see the checklist below) and set your social media accounts to public.
- Attend the interview in person. Your fingerprints are taken and a consular officer decides your application.
- If approved, pay the visa integrity fee where required, and your passport is returned with the visa through the courier service.
Documents Checklist
- International passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay
- Form I-20, signed by you and your school
- DS-160 confirmation page
- MRV fee receipt and SEVIS I-901 fee receipt
- Passport photograph meeting US visa requirements (if not uploaded)
- Academic records: WAEC/NECO results, university transcripts and certificates
- Test scores your school required (for example TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, SAT or GRE)
- Proof of funds: bank statements, scholarship or assistantship letters, sponsor letters and their evidence of income
- Evidence of ties to Nigeria and your plans after study
Social Media Vetting
In June 2025, the State Department resumed student visa interviews with what it called enhanced vetting of applicants’ online presence. Student and exchange visitor applicants are asked to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to “public” so officers can review them. Before your interview:
- Make sure every account you list on the DS-160 can be viewed.
- Remove nothing in a way that looks like you are hiding accounts; the handles must match what you declared.
- Check that what you post is consistent with what you say in your application, such as your course, school and plans.
The Interview: What Officers Look For
Since September 2025, nearly all visa applicants must attend an in-person interview, and applicants are generally expected to apply in their country of nationality or residence. A typical F-1 interview is short, so be clear and specific:
- Why this course and this school? Name modules, faculty or research that match your background.
- Who is paying? Your funding must cover at least the first year shown on the I-20, with a credible plan for the rest.
- What will you do after? Show how the degree fits a realistic career path, including ties to Nigeria.
- Is your academic record consistent? Gaps and changes of field should have a clear explanation.
Most refusals are under section 214(b) of US immigration law, when the officer is not convinced the applicant meets the requirements of a student visa. A refusal is not permanent; you can reapply with stronger evidence, but you will pay the MRV fee again.
Timeline
| Stage | Typical timing for an August/September 2027 start |
|---|---|
| Applications to US universities | September 2026 to February 2027 |
| Admission decisions and I-20 | February to May 2027 |
| SEVIS fee, DS-160 and interview booking | As soon as you have your I-20 |
| Visa interview | April to July 2027 (book early; wait times vary) |
| Earliest entry to the US | 30 days before the start date on your I-20 |
Avoid These Mistakes
- Paying “agents” for appointments. Interview slots are booked only through the official system.
- Fake or borrowed bank statements. Fraud can lead to a permanent ban.
- Undeclared social media accounts or details that contradict your DS-160.
- Booking flights before you have the visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a US student visa for Nigerians in 2026?
$185 for the visa application and $350 for the SEVIS fee, plus a $250 visa integrity fee at issuance where the post collects it: up to $785 in total.
How long is a US F-1 visa valid for Nigerians?
The State Department’s reciprocity schedule lists one entry and three months’ validity. You can stay for the length of your programme once admitted, as long as you keep your status.
Can I travel home during my studies?
Yes, but with a single-entry visa you will usually need a new visa to return. Plan trips carefully.
Do I have to make my social media public for a US student visa?
Student visa applicants are asked to set their profiles to public so officers can review them.
Where do Nigerians interview for a US visa?
At the US Embassy in Abuja or the US Consulate General in Lagos.
What is the SEVIS fee for F-1?
$350, paid to the Department of Homeland Security before your interview.
Sources
- US Department of State – Student Visa information, travel.state.gov
- US Department of State – Visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria (F-1: no issuance fee, one entry, three months), checked 8 November 2026
- US Department of Homeland Security – Form I-901 SEVIS fee for F-1 students
- US Department of State – announcement on resumed student visa processing with enhanced online-presence vetting, June 2025
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act (US Public Law, July 2025) – visa integrity fee for non-immigrant visas
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · NaijaSabi Travel Desk. US visa rules change often; confirm details with the US Mission in Nigeria before you apply.
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