Quick answer: how much is a US visa in naira in 2026?
Visitor, student and exchange visa application fee: US$185 — about ₦247,000.
Petition-based work visa application fee: US$205 — about ₦274,000.
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F or M student total: US$535 — about ₦714,000 when the US$185 visa fee and US$350 SEVIS fee both apply.
Planning rate used: US$1 = ₦1,335. Your bank or payment platform may use a different rate, so confirm the live amount before paying.
The basic US visa fee is only one part of your budget. Nigerian applicants may also face SEVIS charges, travel and document expenses and, in some B1/B2 cases, a visa bond. More importantly, a 2026 restriction affects whether some visas can actually be issued to Nigerian nationals. This guide explains the numbers and the rules before you spend money.
Important 2026 warning for Nigerian applicants
From 1 January 2026, the United States partially suspended visa issuance to Nigerian nationals in the B1/B2 visitor and F, M and J student or exchange categories, as well as immigrant visas, subject to limited exceptions. The restriction generally applies to people who were outside the United States on the effective date and did not already hold a valid visa in the affected category.
This does not necessarily mean every applicant is blocked from submitting a form or attending an interview. It means that paying the fee or attending an appointment does not guarantee that a visa can be issued. Read the official State Department notice and confirm your individual eligibility before making a non-refundable payment.
For a shorter evergreen reference, see our US visa fee guide for Nigeria.
US visa fee breakdown in naira
B1/B2 visitor visa: US$185, approximately ₦246,975 — budget ₦247,000.
F and M student visas: US$185, approximately ₦247,000, before SEVIS.
J exchange visitor visa: US$185, approximately ₦247,000, before SEVIS where required.
H, L, O, P, Q and R petition-based work visas: US$205, approximately ₦273,675 — budget ₦274,000.
E treaty trader or investor visa: US$315, approximately ₦420,525. Eligibility depends on treaty nationality, not simply residence in Nigeria.
K fiancé(e) visa: US$265, approximately ₦353,775 — budget ₦354,000.
These are the official application-fee categories. They are non-refundable and may change. Always verify the current US visa fee schedule before paying.
Plan the full route—not just the application fee—before committing your money.
How much is a US visitor visa from Nigeria?
The B1/B2 application fee is US$185, or roughly ₦247,000 at the planning rate used here. B1 is generally for temporary business visits, while B2 covers tourism, family visits and certain medical trips. One combined B1/B2 visa is common.
The fee does not include transport to an appointment, passport photographs, document preparation or courier delivery. It also does not guarantee approval. Because B1/B2 issuance to Nigerian nationals is affected by the 2026 restriction, check whether an exception applies to you before payment.
US student visa costs: F, M and J
For an F or M student, the usual government-charge calculation is:
Visa application fee: US$185
I-901 SEVIS fee: US$350
Total: US$535, approximately ₦714,225
For most J exchange visitors, the SEVIS fee is US$220. Added to the US$185 application fee, the usual total is US$405, approximately ₦540,675. Certain J programmes, including au pair, camp counsellor and summer work travel, have a reduced US$35 SEVIS fee.
School deposits, tuition, credential evaluation, English tests and proof of funds are separate. Use our study-abroad document checklist and proof-of-funds guide to prepare properly.
US work visa fee from Nigeria
The consular application fee for petition-based H, L, O, P, Q and R work visas is US$205, about ₦274,000. This is not the total cost of the immigration process. Employer petition and USCIS filing costs may be separate and are often handled by the sponsoring employer.
Never pay a stranger for a “guaranteed sponsor.” Research opportunities through our US visa-sponsorship and global job websites, then use the fake sponsorship offer checklist before sending documents or money.
Proof of funds checker — know your exact bank balance target
Country-by-country requirements, updated regularly.
Could a Nigerian visitor be asked for a visa bond?
Nigeria is on the State Department’s list of countries whose B1/B2 applicants may be required to post a visa bond. A consular officer may set the bond at US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000. At ₦1,335 per dollar, that is roughly ₦6.675 million, ₦13.35 million or ₦20.025 million.
A bond is not an automatic fee for every applicant. Do not pay one unless a consular officer has directed you through the official process. Payment does not guarantee visa issuance. Check the official visa-bond guidance.
Other costs to include in your budget
Passport renewal or replacement, where necessary
Passport photographs and printing
Travel to the interview location and accommodation if required
Courier or passport-delivery charges
School application, deposit, test and credential-evaluation costs for students
Exchange-rate or bank-processing differences
Medical examination and civil documents for applicable immigrant or K cases
Keep a contingency buffer of at least 10% to 15% because the naira amount can change between planning and payment.
How to apply and pay safely
Choose the correct visa category for your real purpose of travel.
Check the current Nigeria restriction and whether an exception applies.
Complete the correct official form, usually DS-160 for a non-immigrant visa.
Create a profile through the official US visa appointment channel for Nigeria.
Pay only through the instructed official method and keep the receipt.
Book the appointment and prepare truthful supporting evidence.
Students should pay the I-901 SEVIS fee separately when required and keep that receipt.
Avoid agents who promise approval, sell appointments or ask you to misrepresent your purpose. Your application remains your responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an American visa fee in Nigeria in 2026?
The standard B1/B2, F, M or J application fee is US$185, about ₦247,000 using US$1 = ₦1,335. The exact naira payment can vary with the exchange rate used by the official payment channel.
Is the US visa fee refundable if I am refused?
No. The visa application fee is generally non-refundable, including when a visa is refused or cannot be issued.
Does a student pay both the visa fee and SEVIS fee?
Usually, yes. An F or M student commonly pays US$185 for the visa application and US$350 for SEVIS, bringing the government-fee total to US$535 before other costs.
Can Nigerians still apply for a US visa in 2026?
Some people may still submit applications or qualify under an exception, but the 2026 partial suspension affects issuance of B1/B2, F, M and J visas to many Nigerian nationals. Read the official notice and obtain case-specific guidance before paying.
Is a US visa bond the same as the application fee?
No. The application fee is the normal charge. A visa bond is a separate US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000 requirement that may be imposed on certain B1/B2 applicants only when directed by a consular officer.
Final advice
Budget with a live exchange rate, use official payment channels and check eligibility before spending. For a wider step-by-step overview, read our complete study visa guide. If you want practical templates for planning a UK or Canada application without an agent, the No-Agent Japa Blueprint is also available.
Exchange-rate conversions in this article are planning estimates, not bank quotes. Visa rules and fees can change. Always verify with the US Department of State and the relevant official appointment service.
