Nigerian applicants · United States of America
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) for Nigerian citizens
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
- Processing time
- Visa interview wait times vary widely by consulate.
- Government fees
- SEVIS I-901 USD 350; DS-160 USD 185.
- Typical duration
- Duration of study (D/S); OPT up to 12 months; STEM OPT extension up to 24 additional months.
- Sponsor required
- No
- Leads to settlement
- No
Bilateral context
No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.
Consular processing: Lagos / Abuja
Tourist entry vs. this route
Nigerian nationals require a visa for any entry into United States of America. The F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Visa overview
The F-1 visa is issued to students admitted to an SEVP-certified US academic institution. After completion, F-1 students may apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT); students with qualifying STEM degrees can extend by 24 months (STEM OPT), for a total of up to 36 months of post-graduation employment authorisation.
Additional sources
Primary source
ICE SEVP — Study in the States ↗ · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Acceptance at an SEVP-certified institution issuing Form I-20.
- ✓Sufficient financial support for tuition and living costs for the first year.
- ✓Genuine non-immigrant intent at consular interview.
Common blockers
- !Insufficient funding evidence at consular interview.
- !Incomplete SEVIS registration.
Typical evidence
- ·Form I-20 from SEVP-certified school.
- ·Bank statements, sponsor affidavits, scholarship letters.
- ·Evidence of ties to home country.
Application pathway
Receive I-20 from SEVP-certified school
Institution issues the I-20 after admission.
Pay SEVIS I-901 fee and complete DS-160
Schedule consular interview.
Maintain status during study
Meet full-course-of-study and reporting requirements.
OPT / STEM OPT application
Apply for post-completion OPT, and STEM OPT extension where eligible.
Other United States of America routes covered for Nigerian applicants
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant)
Employment-based first-preference green card for individuals with extraordinary ability — self-petitionable.
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Second-preference green card with a waiver of the job offer and PERM labor certification, where the beneficiary’s work is in the US national interest.
K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen
Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.
Comparable routes in other destinations
Frequently asked questions
Are Nigerian citizens eligible for the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)?+
Eligibility for the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and is not nationality-restricted. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Nigerian applicants typically file the F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)?+
Lagos / Abuja. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Nigerian applicants need a tourist visa for United States of America as well?+
Nigerian nationals require a visa for any entry into United States of America. The F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Does F-1 OPT require a specific employer?+
Standard post-completion OPT does not require a specific employer at filing, but work must be directly related to the student’s major area of study. STEM OPT requires employment with an E-Verify employer and a formal training plan (Form I-983).