USCIS administers all procedures related to legal permanent residency or “green cards.” For more information on who qualifies for legal permanent residency, visit their website.
Legal Permanent Residents currently in Nigeria who require assistance should consult the information below:
Legal Permanent Residents Whose Green Card was Lost, Stolen, or Expired, and Have Been Outside of the United States for LESS THAN ONE YEAR
A permanent resident or conditional resident who has remained outside the United States for less than one year, or within the validity period of a re-entry permit, but is unable to return to the U.S. due to an expired or lost travel document, will require a boarding foil to re-enter the United States to resume permanent residence. See below for more information on Boarding Foil appointment requests.
How to File a Boarding Foil Visa Application Returning Resident:
STEP 1: Email LagosIV@state.gov with the subject line “Boarding Foil Appointment”. In the email, please include:
- First, middle and surname.
- A number, if known
- Date of Birth
- Date of last departure from the United States
- Date of intended for return to United States
STEP 2: Based on the information provided, you will be provided with information for a Boarding Foil interview. You will be instructed to complete the I-131A form and make payment on the USCIS website. Note: you cannot appear for an interview more than 30 days prior to your anticipated date of travel.
STEP 3: Please bring the following to the scheduled interview appointment:
- E-mail print-out of the Appointment Confirmation Page
- All valid and expired international passports
- Completed I-131A application with all sections completed and the application signed
- Proof of payment for the I-131A form
- Dates of departure from the United States (Examples: airline tickets, passport stamps, etc.)
- Alien Registration Receipt Card, Form I-151 or I-551 (“green card”)
- Two color photos (2×2 inch, white background, meeting the requirements on this page)
Legal Permanent Residents Who Have Been Outside of the United States for MORE THAT ONE YEAR
A permanent resident or conditional resident who has remained outside the United States for more than one year, or beyond the validity period of a re-entry Permit, due to circumstances beyond their control, will require a new immigrant visa (called an SB-1) to request re-entry to the United States to resume permanent residence. Not all applications for an SB-1 visa are successful – a consular officer will assess each individual situation during an SB-1 interview to determine if the applicant qualifies for an SB-1 visa under U.S. immigration law. Please see the information below for specific steps on how to request and complete an SB-1 application.
How to File an Application for SB-1 Returning Resident Status Determination:
STEP 1: Schedule an appointment at least three months in advance of your intended travel. When you are ready to schedule your Returning Resident interview, email LagosIV@state.gov, with “SB-1” in the subject line, to request an interview date. Your eligibility for an SB-1 visa will be determined by a Consular Officer at the interview.
STEP 2: Please bring the following to the scheduled interview appointment:
- E-mail print-out of the Appointment Confirmation Page
- Completed Application to Determine Returning Resident Status (Form DS-117)
- Required non-refundable filing fee of $180 to be paid in local currency or US dollars at the U.S. Consulate General’s cashier. Please note: credit cards are not accepted and you must bring the required sum in cash to your interview. You must pay the entire fee in only one currency (Naira or U.S. dollars).
- Alien Registration Receipt Card, Form I-151 or I-551 (“green card”)
- All valid and expired passports
- Re-entry Permit (Form I-327), if available
- Dates of travel outside of the United States (Examples: airline tickets, passport stamps, etc.)
- Proof of your ties to the United States and your intention to return (Examples: tax returns, and evidence of economic, family, and social ties to the United States)
- Proof that your protracted stay outside of the United States was for reasons beyond your control (Examples: medical incapacitation, employment with a U.S. company, etc.)
- Two color photos (2×2 inch, white background, meeting the requirements on this page)
Notes:
- Enter your updated email and contact number on your DS-117 located in line number three.
- You will be instructed to reschedule if you arrive with an incomplete application.
- Payment of the filing fee does not guarantee that the returning resident status will be approved.
STEP 3: The interviewing officer will provide you with an official determination notice during the interview and return your documents. If approved for returning resident status, you will be given specific instructions on how to complete final processing, including:
- Scheduling an immigrant visa interview at the Consulate General in Lagos.
- Documentary and legal requirements to qualify for an immigrant visa, including paying for and conducting a new medical exam and vaccinations, and payment of the DS-260 application processing fee.