Not every visa comes with an interview. The United States asks almost every applicant to attend one, while the UK, Canada and most Schengen countries decide mainly on your documents and only call you in when the officer wants to check something. This guide explains who gets interviewed, what to bring, which questions to expect and how to answer them honestly and briefly.
Which Countries Interview Nigerian Applicants?
| Destination | Interview? | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes, in person | Short interview at the US Embassy in Abuja or the US Consulate General in Lagos after you submit the DS-160 form and pay the fee |
| United Kingdom | Rarely | You apply online, give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application centre, and UK Visas and Immigration decides on your documents. An interview is only one possible reason for a delay |
| Schengen countries | Sometimes | The consulate may invite you to explain your trip. Many applications are decided on documents alone |
| Canada | Rarely | Most decisions are made on the file. Biometrics are given in person at a visa application centre |
Check the Current US Position First
US rules for Nigerian citizens have changed several times, so read the latest notices before you pay any fee. As of October 2026, a presidential proclamation that took effect on 1 January 2026 partially suspends US visa issuance to Nigerian citizens who were outside the US on that date without a valid visa. It covers B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F and M student visas, J exchange visas and immigrant visas. People can still submit applications and book interviews, but they may not be issued a visa. Exceptions exist, including green card holders, dual nationals travelling on a passport from an unaffected country, and case-by-case national interest exceptions. Visas issued before 1 January 2026 were not cancelled.
📌 Read More
Before you book, check the US Mission Nigeria website and travel.state.gov for the current position on your visa type.
US Interview Waivers Are Now Narrow
Since 1 October 2025, most US applicants must attend an interview in person. A waiver is limited to certain diplomatic and official visa classes and to renewals of B-1, B-2 or B-1/B-2 visas, and only when all of these apply:
- You are renewing within 12 months of the old visa’s expiry, and the old visa was issued for its full validity.
- You are 18 or older.
- You apply in your country of nationality or usual residence.
- You have never been refused a visa, unless the refusal was overcome or waived, and no ineligibility is apparent.
Even then, a consular officer can still ask for an interview for any reason.
What to Bring
- Your passport, plus any old passports that carry visas or stamps.
- The appointment confirmation and, for the US, the DS-160 confirmation page and fee receipt.
- Evidence of why you are travelling: admission letter, invitation, hotel and flight bookings, conference registration, or job offer, depending on your visa.
- Evidence of how you will pay: recent bank statements, payslips, business registration, or a sponsor’s letter and statements.
- Evidence that you will come back: employment letter, business documents, property or family ties.
Bring originals and one neat set of copies, but only hand over what the officer asks for. Interviews are short, so do not expect to talk through every page.
Questions You Can Expect and How to Answer
| Question | What the officer is checking | A good answer |
|---|---|---|
| What is the purpose of your trip? | That your reason is clear and matches your documents | One or two sentences with specifics: who, where, when |
| How long will you stay? | That your plan is realistic | The exact dates on your itinerary |
| Who is paying? | That you can afford the trip | Name the source and match it to your statements |
| What do you do for work or study? | Your ties to Nigeria | Role, employer or school, and how long you have been there |
| Have you travelled before or been refused? | Your history | The truth, with the dates. Past refusals are visible to the officer |
| What will you do after the trip? | That you intend to return | Specific commitments at home, such as your job, course or family |
A Hypothetical Example
This is an illustration, not a real case. Suppose an applicant is asked, “Why are you going to the United States?” A weak answer is, “To see America and relax.” A stronger answer is, “I am attending a three-day logistics conference in Houston from 14 to 16 March. My company has approved the leave and is paying my registration. I return to Lagos on 18 March because I manage a team here.” The second answer is short, specific and matches the registration receipt and employment letter in the file.
📰 Similar Posts
Tips for the Day
- Arrive early. Security checks take time, and your appointment letter lists what you may bring inside.
- Answer only what is asked, in plain English, and look at the officer.
- Never memorise a script or use someone else’s story. Officers notice rehearsed answers that do not match your documents.
- Do not argue. If the answer is no, ask politely what the reason is and listen to the reply.
After the Interview
For the US, the officer will tell you whether the visa is approved, refused, or needs further checks (often called administrative processing). A common US refusal is under section 214(b), which means the officer was not convinced that you intend to return. You can apply again, but a new application should show something that has changed, not the same file resubmitted. For other countries, the decision usually comes by email or through the application centre. If you are refused, read the refusal letter carefully. Our guides on how to avoid visa denials and appealing a UK visa refusal explain the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an interview for a UK visa?
Usually not. You apply online, give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre, and the decision is made on your documents. An interview is only one of several reasons a decision can take longer.
How long does a US interview take?
Often only a few minutes, so your first two answers matter. Be ready to state your purpose and your ties to Nigeria clearly.
Can I apply for a US visa from another country?
US guidance now says applicants should generally apply in their country of nationality or usual residence. For Nigerian citizens, that means the Abuja or Lagos post.
Should I hire someone to coach me?
Help with organising documents is reasonable. Coaching that tells you what to say is not. Your answers must be your own and must match your file.
What if I do not understand a question?
Ask the officer to repeat or rephrase it. That is better than guessing.
If you would like your documents reviewed before an appointment, you can book a consultation with KP Visas & Travels.
👀 You Missed
About the Author
No responses yet