How to Move to United States
The United States has a complex, employer-driven system, but several routes work well for Africans. The H-1B is for skilled professionals (employer-sponsored, lottery-based). The F-1 covers study. And the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery gives citizens of eligible countries — including most of Africa — a free chance to win permanent residence. Always apply on official .gov sites; the DV lottery itself is free.
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
United States embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
The US has embassies/consulates in most African countries, where visa interviews take place. Find your nearest US embassy with the locator and book the interview there.
Tap “Open in Google Maps” to see the exact location, get directions, and confirm the current address & opening hours.
1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja
+234 9 461 4000 Open in Google Maps877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria 0083
+27 12 431 4000 Open in Google MapsNo. 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra
+233 30 274 1000 Open in Google MapsAvenue Rosa Parks, Mbankolo Quartier, Yaoundé
+237 222 251 4000 Open in Google MapsKm 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170
+212 537 637 200 Open in Google Maps686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, Dar es Salaam
+255 22 229 4000 Open in Google MapsCocody Riviera Golf, 01 BP 1712, Abidjan
+225 27 22 49 40 00 Open in Google Maps05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir Ibrahimi, El-Biar, Algiers
+213 770 08 2000 Open in Google MapsEastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka
+260 211 357000 Open in Google MapsRua Presidente Houari Boumedienne #32, Miramar, Luanda
+244 222 641 000 Open in Google MapsDon’t see your country? United States has more missions across Africa — find the nearest one on the official locator.
Tied to the annual cycle; registration in spring, start in October. Premium processing available.
Employer pays: registration $215 + petition fees (often $2,000–$5,000+). Your visa stamp (MRV) ~$205.
3 years, extendable to 6; can lead to a green card via employer sponsorship.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A US job offer in a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
- You hold the required degree (or equivalent).
- Your employer registers you and (if selected) files the petition.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Find a sponsoring employer
Secure a job with a US employer willing to sponsor an H-1B.
-
2
Employer registers you
During the annual registration window, the employer enters you into the H-1B lottery.
-
3
Selection & petition
If selected, the employer files the full H-1B petition (with an approved Labor Condition Application).
-
4
Consular processing
After approval, apply for the visa at a US embassy in your country (DS-160 + interview).
-
5
Travel & work
Enter the US and begin work (status usually starts 1 October).
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- The H-1B is lottery-based — your employer must register you in the annual window.
- Cap-exempt employers (universities, non-profits, research) are not subject to the lottery.
- Many H-1B holders later get an employer-sponsored green card.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your DS-160 form + visa appointment account first
First complete the DS-160 form online at CEAC to get your confirmation number. Then create an account on your country's visa appointment site (usually ais.usvisa-info.com) to pay the fee and book your interview.
Create accountStart your H-1B Specialty Occupation visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationAnnual cycle: register in autumn, results in spring, visas the following year.
Entry is FREE. If selected, the DV fee is $330 per person at the interview.
Permanent residence (green card) for winners and their family.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Be a native of an eligible country (most African countries qualify).
- Have at least a high-school education OR qualifying work experience.
- Submit one correct entry during the official registration period.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Wait for the official entry period
The DV registration opens once a year (usually October–November) on dvprogram.state.gov.
-
2
Submit a free entry
Complete the official online entry form with a compliant photo. Keep your confirmation number.
-
3
Check results online
Check the official Entrant Status Check (the only way you are notified — there are no email winners).
-
4
If selected, file DS-260
Complete the immigrant visa application and gather civil documents.
-
5
Interview & medical
Attend the embassy interview and medical exam.
-
6
Receive your green card
On approval, travel to the US and receive permanent residence.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- The entry is 100% FREE — never pay anyone to "enter you" or "increase your chances". That is a scam.
- You are only notified via the official Entrant Status Check — ignore "winner" emails.
- Submit one accurate entry; duplicates get you disqualified.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your DS-160 form + visa appointment account first
First complete the DS-160 form online at CEAC to get your confirmation number. Then create an account on your country's visa appointment site (usually ais.usvisa-info.com) to pay the fee and book your interview.
Create accountStart your Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationVaries by embassy; apply early as interview wait times differ.
SEVIS fee (~$350) + visa application (MRV) fee (~$185) + tuition + living funds.
Duration of study; Optional Practical Training (OPT) work afterwards.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Admission to a SEVP-approved school (issued a Form I-20).
- Proof of funds to cover tuition and living costs.
- Strong ties and intent to return after study.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Get admitted & receive I-20
Apply to a SEVP-approved school; once admitted you receive Form I-20.
-
2
Pay the SEVIS fee
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee online and keep the receipt.
-
3
Complete DS-160 & pay MRV fee
Fill the online DS-160 visa form and pay the application fee.
-
4
Attend the visa interview
Book and attend your interview at the US embassy with your documents.
-
5
Travel & study
Enter the US up to 30 days before your program start.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Show clear funding and genuine study intent — these drive interview success.
- OPT (and STEM OPT) lets you work in the US after graduation.
- Apply to schools offering scholarships/assistantships to cut costs.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your DS-160 form + visa appointment account first
First complete the DS-160 form online at CEAC to get your confirmation number. Then create an account on your country's visa appointment site (usually ais.usvisa-info.com) to pay the fee and book your interview.
Create accountStart your F-1 Student visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationImmediate relatives faster; other categories can take years (visa bulletin).
Typical fees: I-130 petition $675 + immigrant visa/processing ~$445 (varies by category).
Permanent residence (green card).
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A qualifying relationship to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Immediate relatives (spouse, parent, unmarried minor child of a citizen) have no annual cap.
- The sponsor meets the financial (Affidavit of Support) requirement.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Sponsor files I-130
The US citizen/resident files the I-130 petition to establish the relationship.
-
2
Wait for a visa number
Immediate relatives proceed at once; others wait per the monthly Visa Bulletin.
-
3
File DS-260 & affidavit of support
Complete the immigrant visa application and the sponsor's financial affidavit.
-
4
Interview & medical
Attend the embassy interview and medical exam.
-
5
Receive the green card
On approval, travel and receive permanent residence.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Spouses and minor children of US citizens face no annual quota — usually the fastest family route.
- Check the monthly Visa Bulletin for waiting times in capped categories.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your DS-160 form + visa appointment account first
First complete the DS-160 form online at CEAC to get your confirmation number. Then create an account on your country's visa appointment site (usually ais.usvisa-info.com) to pay the fee and book your interview.
Create accountStart your Family-based green card application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost United States work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to United States — both completely free.
Explore other destinations
Questions about United States visas
How much does the United States H-1B Specialty Occupation visa cost?
The United States H-1B Specialty Occupation visa costs: Employer pays: registration $215 + petition fees (often $2,000–$5,000+). Your visa stamp (MRV) ~$205. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the United States H-1B Specialty Occupation visa take?
Processing for the United States H-1B Specialty Occupation visa takes tied to the annual cycle; registration in spring, start in October. Premium processing available. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the United States H-1B Specialty Occupation visa valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The United States H-1B Specialty Occupation visa is valid for 3 years, extendable to 6; can lead to a green card via employer sponsorship. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the United States Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery cost?
The United States Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery costs: Entry is FREE. If selected, the DV fee is $330 per person at the interview. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the United States Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery take?
Processing for the United States Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery takes annual cycle: register in autumn, results in spring, visas the following year. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the United States Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The United States Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery is valid for permanent residence (green card) for winners and their family. This route can lead to permanent residence.
How much does the United States F-1 Student visa cost?
The United States F-1 Student visa costs: SEVIS fee (~$350) + visa application (MRV) fee (~$185) + tuition + living funds. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the United States F-1 Student visa take?
Processing for the United States F-1 Student visa takes varies by embassy; apply early as interview wait times differ. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the United States F-1 Student visa valid for?
The United States F-1 Student visa is valid for duration of study; Optional Practical Training (OPT) work afterwards. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the United States Family-based green card cost?
The United States Family-based green card costs: Typical fees: I-130 petition $675 + immigrant visa/processing ~$445 (varies by category). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the United States Family-based green card take?
Processing for the United States Family-based green card takes immediate relatives faster; other categories can take years (visa bulletin). This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the United States Family-based green card valid for, and does it lead to permanent residence?
The United States Family-based green card is valid for permanent residence (green card). This route can lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.