US Medical Visa for Nigerians

Do you Require Medical Treatment in the US?

We have successfully assisted numerous Nigerians who required medical treatment in the US in applying for a B2 visa. Let us handle all the complexities and make your travel plans as stress-free as possible.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call +2342013438882 or +44 (0) 3316300929

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For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –  +1 844 290 6312

Ireland –  (+353) 061 518 025

UK –  (+44) 333 4149244

What is a B2 Visa for Medical Treatment?

A B2 visa allows foreign nationals seeking medical treatment in the US to enter the country as well as stay there for a specified, limited time period i.e. the length of their treatment.

Unless foreign patients are from countries participating for entry under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or are citizens of Canada and Bermuda, they need to apply for a B2 visa for obtaining medical treatment in the US.

Nigeria is not a participating country in the VWP, hence you will need to apply for and obtain a B2 visa before entering the US for medical purposes.

B2 visa for medical reasons is also applicable to any caregiver accompanying the patient. Such person(s) will need to separately apply for their B2 visa.

B2 Visa Restrictions

A B2 visa does not permit:

• Study
• Employment
• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media (media personnel will need to apply for an I visa)
• Permanent residence

These require different categories of visas. Additionally, if you want to enter the US temporarily for business purposes, you will need to apply for and obtain a B1 visa.

Eligibility Criteria for B2 Visa

To apply for a B2 visa for medical purposes, you need to demonstrate that you qualify for a temporary, nonimmigrant US visa in accordance with the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Section 214(b) of INA presumes that every B2 visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Given that legal presumption, to obtain a B2 visa for medical purposes you must prove that:

• You are travelling for specific medical treatment in the US, which cannot be obtained in Nigeria
• You plan to stay in the US for a specified number of days required to undergo the said treatment
• You have funds to cover for your expenses including the healthcare costs
• You plan to return to Nigeria at the end of your medical treatment

In addition, you must prove that you are not intending to engage in any unlawful or criminal activities in the US.

B2 Visa Application Process

Complete Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application)

The application process for B2 visa starts with completing the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (i.e. Form DS-160).

Please read the guidelines available on the State.gov website before starting the online application process. To ensure that you have provided accurate information, please have your passport and any other relevant documents ready, as well as your photo in the required format (to be uploaded during the online application process).

Please remember to note your application ID, which may be required for any future correspondence with your concerned US embassy or consulate, or to continue with the online application process in case you accidentally close the browser before submitting your application.

Once you submit the form, you will not be able to make changes. Take a printout of the confirmation page.

Pay the Visa Fees

All B2 visa applicants will need to pay a visa application fee. It is a non-refundable, non-transferable fee that must be paid irrespective of whether a visa is subsequently issued or not. As of 2025, the visa fee for B2 visa is $185.

Schedule Your Interview

The next step in the B2 visa application process is to schedule a visa interview at your nearest US embassy or consulate.

Before scheduling the interview, however, please reach out to the concerned embassy or consulate to confirm whether you need to attend an interview. Typically, applicants between the ages of 14-79 must attend a visa interview.

Arrange the Required Documents for Your Visa

Please carry the necessary documents with you while going for the visa interview. You may need to show or submit them to the consular officer.

Please consider seeking advice from an immigration specialist before attending your visa interview to ensure your paperwork is in order.

Arranging for required documents can be made easier if an immigration specialist is there to guide you through the process. IAS has an application checking service in place where we check every detail of your application, ensuring all the required documentation and evidence is present. Call us today on +2342013438882 or our US office on +44 (0) 3316300929 to find out more.

Attend the Interview

During the interview, you are likely to be asked questions based on the information you have provided on the DS-160 form as well as your purpose of visit, length of stay, and proof of intent to return to Nigeria.

Any information mismatch may lead to denial of your visa, hence it is crucial to have your facts ready.

Required B2 Visa Documents for Medical Treatment

Documents required during your visa interview include:

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the US
• Visa application fee payment receipt
• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Interview appointment confirmation letter
• A photo that complies with the US visa photo requirements
• Copies of medical reports and/or diagnosis by the doctor treating you in Nigeria specifying your medical condition, demonstrating why you must undergo medical treatment in the US
• Correspondence or documents from a doctor/ health professional / health facility in the US specifying:
  • their willingness to treat your medical condition
  • the total estimated cost of your treatment (incl. your stay and other related expenses)
  • your caregiver’s (if any) name and other details and why they need to accompany you
  • your approximate length of stay required in the US to undergo the said treatment
• Financial or bank statements to prove you have enough funds to support yourself while travelling in the US
• Any supporting documents that show you have significant ties to Nigeria such as your family, a permanent job, a profitable business, mortgage or lease agreements, etc.
• Criminal records or letters from local authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions
• Any documents relating to past US visas (if applicable)
• A letter from your employer detailing the purpose of the trip and your job position
• Employment payslips from the last three months
• Business financials or income statements if you are self-employed

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive. The consulate officer may ask you to submit other supporting documents that may vary on a case-to-case basis.

Delay or difficulty in arranging for such documents may lead to unnecessary delay in your visa approval process or may even lead to visa denial in certain scenarios. It is recommended that you speak to a immigration specialist before or during your visa application process.

B2 Visa Denial or Refusal

You cannot appeal a decision for a B2 visa, although you may reapply if you wish to. Please try to avoid common errors like failure of medical documentation, lack of proof of financial means etc. to avoid your visa refusal.

Failure to establish beyond any reasonable doubt your need to travel to the US for medical treatment is the most common reason for a B2 visa denial or refusal. The documentation from your healthcare professionals both in Nigeria and the US plays a crucial role to ensure the consular officer is satisfied.

If you fail to prove that you have sufficient funds to undergo medical treatment in the US, your visa application is likely to be denied regardless of your medical need. The healthcare costs typically run high in the US, and the visa authority needs to be sure that you have the financial means to undertake such costs and other related expenses.

Foreign nationals suffering from certain contagious diseases such as leprosy, tuberculosis and syphilis may also fail to obtain a B2 visa.

How Can IAS Help?

The B2 visa application is a fairly simple process. However, when you are seeking the B2 visa for medical purposes, there is a substantial amount of documentation involved that must be in order to ensure a successful visa application. IAS can help.

We have an office in Nigeria as well as a team of lawyers in the US. To date, we have helped several Nigerians with their different types of US visa application and immigration advice.

Our team of sympathetic immigration lawyers have the required expertise to assist you, regardless of your personal circumstances or the complexity of your case.

Whether you’re looking for assistance with the B2 visa requirements for medical purposes, unsure of how to go through the application process, need more advice on how to arrange for the necessary documents to support your visa application, or simply need overall advice regarding your immigration case, we are here to help you.

We can also help if you need to apply for another similar type of visa based on your circumstances, such as a B1 visa, B2 visa for dependents of a B1 visa holder, extension of an existing B2 visa, or any other US visa on the basis of your personal or family life.

To learn more about the services we provide and how we can help you, please reach out to a member of our team today. Call us on +2342013438882 if you are in Nigeria or on +44 (0) 3316300929.