F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT: Overview for Nigerians ₦1,255,319
The F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT 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.
F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦711,436 (~$535 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦33,244,681 (~$25,000 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦226,064 (~$170 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦317,819 (~$239 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦1,255,319 (~$944 USD) |
Priced at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange rates of a year ago, these fees would have come to about ₦1,390,000: ₦130,000 more than today (CBN rates as of 9 Oct 2026). Every country, then and now.
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 12 October 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦1,255,319 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦711,436: Paid to the United States immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Language test — ₦226,064: IELTS Academic or General, TOEFL, or country-equivalent test. Book your slot in Lagos or Abuja well in advance — popular centres fill 6–8 weeks ahead.
- Credential evaluation — ₦317,819: A third-party body (WES, ACS, Engineers Australia, SAQA, or equivalent) verifies that your Nigerian degree and certificates meet United States’s standards. Allow 4–8 weeks for this process.
- Proof of funds — ₦33,244,681: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: Suspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 (normally 4–8 weeks for the visa)
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates, language test result, credential evaluation report.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦1,255,319 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: Suspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 (normally 4–8 weeks for the visa).
Expert tip
F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT
This route is closed to new Nigerian applicants. Since 1 January 2026, Proclamation 10998, s.5(j), has suspended F, M and J student and exchange visas (and B-1/B-2 visitor visas) for Nigerian nationals (https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-19/html/2025-23570.htm), so the US Embassy cannot issue a new F-1 visa to a Nigerian national. Students who already hold an F-1 visa issued before 1 January 2026 are not affected. If you were planning to study abroad, compare the study routes for Canada, the UK or Germany instead. For reference if the suspension is lifted: the visa costs $535 ($185 MRV application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee), TOEFL costs $220 in Nigeria, you must show funds for at least one year of tuition plus living expenses (typically $25,000–$50,000), and OPT gives 12 months of work authorization after graduation (36 months for STEM degrees).
Where Nigerians settle in United States
Once your F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT is approved, most Nigerians head to New York City or Houston. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- New York City: 1-bedroom rent ₦5,095,745/month · Lagos–New York City flights from ~$750 · Nigerian community: Very Large
- Houston: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,937,500/month · Lagos–Houston flights from ~$900 · Nigerian community: Very Large
- Atlanta: 1-bedroom rent ₦2,187,500/month · Lagos–Atlanta flights from ~$800 · Nigerian community: Large
Life in New York City
New York has one of the largest Nigerian communities in the US, concentrated in Brooklyn (Flatbush, East New York) and the Bronx. The city offers unmatched job opportunities in finance, tech, and healthcare, but rent is brutal — average 1-bed in Manhattan is $3,500+. Move to outer boroughs: 1-beds in the Bronx start at $1,500, Brooklyn around $2,200. A 30-day MetroCard is $33 (unlimited rides). Health insurance through the ACA marketplace runs $400–$600/month without employer coverage — this is a cost most Nigerians don't budget for. Direct flights from Lagos on Delta are available but pricey; connecting through Accra (United) or European hubs saves $200–$400.
22% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose United States as their destination. Average Japa Score: 55/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦500K–₦1.5M.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT cost for Nigerians moving to United States?
- Total government fees for the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT are ₦1,255,319 (about $944). This covers the visa application fee, language test of ₦226,064, credential evaluation of ₦317,819, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT is Suspended for Nigerian nationals since 1 January 2026 (normally 4–8 weeks for the visa). Apply from the United States High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT?
- You need to show ₦33,244,681 ($25,000) in savings for the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT. This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the F-1 Student Visa + OPT/STEM OPT application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Language test result (IELTS/TEF) required — book early, Lagos and Abuja test slots go fast. Credential evaluation from an approved body is required to verify your Nigerian qualifications. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦33,244,681 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
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 12 October 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last reviewed: 8 Oct 2026