On August 2, 2023, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. Due to the reduction in embassy staff, the U.S. Embassy’s consular services are focused on providing emergency services to U.S. citizens in Niger.

Visa services, including for Diversity Visas, are not available at this time. Please be advised there is a worldwide statutory annual limit on the number of Diversity Visas issued.  This means there will not be a sufficient number of visas for all those who are initially selected.  When all of the 55,000 diversity visas are issued, the program will end for the year.  Being randomly chosen as a selectee does not guarantee that you will receive a visa interview or a visa.  Selection merely means that the person may be eligible to participate in the DV program.  Selectees who do not receive a visa in one program year are welcome to reapply in future years. Updates on Diversity Visa Program 2023 are listed on travel.state.gov.

Important Notice: 

The consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Niamey is reducing non-emergency services until further notice due to staffing shortages.

We have suspended non-emergency services effective October 26, 2022.  Until further notice, only diplomatic and official visas, and cases meeting expedited appointment criteria continue. 

If you have an emergency and need to travel on a B1/B2 visa before December 1, please send an email to ConsulateNiamey@state.gov to request an emergency appointment.  Please be aware that emergency appointment availability is extremely limited.

Update on U.S. travel policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination

A new travel policy requiring foreign nationals traveling to the United States to demonstrate proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 went into effect on November 8, 2021.  The CDC’s website explains that, for purposes of entry into the United States, the accepted vaccines will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines.  Please see additional information on this policy here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-us-travel-policy-requiring-covid-19-vaccination.html

*** As of January 26, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the U.S. may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

What You Need to Know

If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status) before you travel by air into the United States.  You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight.

• Fully vaccinated: The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 3 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country if you show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Not fully vaccinated: The viral test must be conducted on a sample taken no more than 1 day before the flight’s departure from a foreign country if you do not show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

Several factors, including the purpose of your intended travel, will determine what type of visa you will be required to have under U.S. immigration law.  As a visa applicant, it is your responsibility to prove to the Consular Officer that you meet all of the requirements for the category of visa for which you are applying. See our Directory of Visa Categories to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.