EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card: Timeline for Nigerians ₦2,111,869
Processing time for the EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card for Nigerian applicants is 12–36 months (PERM labor certification: 6–18 months + I-140 petition: 6–12 months + consular processing: 3–6 months). Below is what to expect at each stage, plus the verified fees you pay along the way.
EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦1,766,712 (~$1,295 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Not required | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦345,157 (~$253 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦2,111,869 (~$1,548 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 3 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 12–36 months (PERM labor certification: 6–18 months + I-140 petition: 6–12 months + consular processing: 3–6 months)
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates, credential evaluation report.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦2,111,869 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 12–36 months (PERM labor certification: 6–18 months + I-140 petition: 6–12 months + consular processing: 3–6 months).
Expert tip
EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card
EB-2 priority dates for 'Rest of World' (which includes Nigeria) moved to 'Current' in March 2026, meaning no backlog — Nigerian applicants can file immediately once their I-140 is approved. This is a massive advantage over Indian and Chinese applicants who wait 5–15 years. Your employer files the I-140 petition ($715 + $600 asylum fee) and typically pays for the PERM labor certification. You pay the $345 immigrant visa fee and $235 USCIS immigrant fee. The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) route lets you self-petition without an employer, but approval rates dropped to around 60% in 2025 — hire an experienced immigration attorney. Critical warning: as of January 2026, the State Department paused immigrant visa issuance for Nigerian nationals at US consulates — monitor this closely as it may delay consular processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card cost for Nigerians moving to United States?
- Total government fees for the EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card are ₦2,111,869 (about $1,548). This includes the visa application fee, health surcharge, language test, and credential evaluation where applicable.
- How long does EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card for Nigerian applicants is 12–36 months (PERM labor certification: 6–18 months + I-140 petition: 6–12 months + consular processing: 3–6 months).
- What is the most important tip for EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card applicants from Nigeria?
- EB-2 priority dates for 'Rest of World' (which includes Nigeria) moved to 'Current' in March 2026, meaning no backlog — Nigerian applicants can file immediately once their I-140 is approved. This is a massive advantage over Indian and Chinese applicants who wait 5–15 years. Your employer files the I-140 petition ($715 + $600 asylum fee) and typically pays for the PERM labor certification. You pay the $345 immigrant visa fee and $235 USCIS immigrant fee. The EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) route lets you self-petition without an employer, but approval rates dropped to around 60% in 2025 — hire an experienced immigration attorney. Critical warning: as of January 2026, the State Department paused immigrant visa issuance for Nigerian nationals at US consulates — monitor this closely as it may delay consular processing.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into United States.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 3 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02