H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa: Timeline for Nigerians ₦4,956,344
Processing time for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa for Nigerian applicants is 3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1). Below is what to expect at each stage, plus the verified fees you pay along the way.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦4,611,187 (~$3,380 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 | ₦4,956,344 (~$3,633 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: 3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1)
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates, credential evaluation report.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦4,956,344 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1).
Expert tip
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The H-1B lottery selected 35% of applicants in FY 2026 — a major improvement over FY 2025's 16.6% rate, thanks to the beneficiary-centric selection system that eliminated duplicate registrations. Starting FY 2027, a new wage-level lottery system gives higher-paid roles 2–4x better odds. The $100,000 supplemental fee for new H-1B petitions (effective September 2025) is paid by the employer, not you — but it means smaller companies are less likely to sponsor. Your employer pays all H-1B fees — not you. For large employers (26+ employees), total government fees are $3,380 ($780 base + $500 fraud prevention fee + $1,500 ACWIA fee + $600 asylum program fee). You only pay for credential evaluation and the $205 visa interview fee at the US Embassy in Lagos. Budget 6–9 months from lottery registration to actually starting work.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa cost for Nigerians moving to United States?
- Total government fees for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa are ₦4,956,344 (about $3,633). This includes the visa application fee, health surcharge, language test, and credential evaluation where applicable.
- How long does H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa for Nigerian applicants is 3–6 months (lottery registration in March, results in April, start date October 1).
- What is the most important tip for H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa applicants from Nigeria?
- The H-1B lottery selected 35% of applicants in FY 2026 — a major improvement over FY 2025's 16.6% rate, thanks to the beneficiary-centric selection system that eliminated duplicate registrations. Starting FY 2027, a new wage-level lottery system gives higher-paid roles 2–4x better odds. The $100,000 supplemental fee for new H-1B petitions (effective September 2025) is paid by the employer, not you — but it means smaller companies are less likely to sponsor. Your employer pays all H-1B fees — not you. For large employers (26+ employees), total government fees are $3,380 ($780 base + $500 fraud prevention fee + $1,500 ACWIA fee + $600 asylum program fee). You only pay for credential evaluation and the $205 visa interview fee at the US Embassy in Lagos. Budget 6–9 months from lottery registration to actually starting work.
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