US Visa: Abuja applicants now forced to Lagos for processing

Thousands of Nigerians seeking routine United States visa services will now have to process their applications through Lagos after the US Embassy in Abuja stopped handling routine visa applications.

The change, which took effect on August 1, 2026, means that routine visa services are now available only at the US Consulate General in Lagos.

The US Embassy, in a fresh advisory, said applicants who already had appointments scheduled in Abuja would still be attended to, although some appointments could be moved to new dates.

Applicants affected by the adjustment have been advised to check their emails for updated appointment information.

The embassy stated that those with valid and unused Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee receipts can use them to schedule new appointments at the Lagos consulate.

The advisory read: “Routine visa services are only available at Consulate General Lagos. Effective August 1, 2026, U.S. Embassy Abuja no longer processes routine visa applications.”

The development means Nigerians outside Lagos who previously relied on the Abuja embassy for routine visa interviews may now have to make additional travel arrangements to complete their applications.

However, the embassy clarified that existing appointments would be honoured, although some applicants may receive revised appointment dates.

The move affects routine visa categories, while applicants have been directed to consult the official US visa appointment platform for updated information on services, locations and operating hours.

The US Consulate General in Lagos now becomes the primary centre for routine US visa processing in Nigeria.

Dear Vows