US Embassy Announces Major Visa Change for Nigerians

The United States Embassy has announced a major change to routine visa processing in Nigeria, directing applicants in Abuja to use the US Consulate General in Lagos for routine visa appointments.

The new arrangement took effect on August 1, 2026, following a decision by the US authorities to discontinue routine visa application processing at the US Embassy in Abuja.

Under the revised arrangement, applicants seeking routine US visa services are now expected to schedule their appointments through the Consulate General in Lagos.

However, applicants who had secured appointments at the Abuja embassy before the policy change will not automatically lose their appointments. The authorities stated that previously scheduled appointments would be honoured, although some dates could be rescheduled.

Applicants affected by any changes have been advised to monitor their email accounts regularly for notifications from the embassy regarding new appointment dates or other relevant instructions.

The US authorities further clarified that applicants who possess unused and valid Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee receipts can use the receipts when booking new appointments through the Lagos consulate.

The development means that routine visa applicants who had planned to process their applications in Abuja will now have to make arrangements to attend appointments in Lagos, while applicants with existing Abuja appointments are advised to wait for official communication concerning their appointments.

Applicants have also been encouraged to consult the official US visa appointment platform for updated information on appointment procedures, service locations and operating hours before making travel arrangements.