EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card: Overview for Nigerians ₦2,111,869
The EB-2/EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card is one of the main routes Nigerians use to relocate to United States. This overview covers the verified 2026 fees, processing time, and the documents you need to apply. All figures are pulled from our verified relocation database — no estimates.
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