The United States Embassy in Abuja has stopped processing routine visa applications, directing applicants to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos for such services.
The new arrangement took effect on August 1, 2026, following a decision by the U.S. Department of State to realign routine visa operations across Africa and consolidate services in designated regional hubs.
Under the new arrangement, Lagos serves as Nigeria’s regional hub for routine U.S. visa services.
The realignment covers both routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services, including tourist and business visas, petition-based visas, family preference and employment-based immigrant visas.
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja recently reminded applicants that routine visa services are now available only at the Consulate General in Lagos.
Applicants who already had appointments scheduled in Abuja will still be attended to, although some appointments may have been rescheduled.
Those affected have been advised to check their email for information about their new appointment dates.
The embassy also stated that applicants with an unused and valid Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee receipt may use the receipt to schedule a new appointment at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.
The Department of State said the restructuring is aimed at strengthening national security through more uniform screening, vetting and adjudication standards, while also improving the efficiency of visa operations.
The department has designated 20 regional visa hubs across Africa, including Lagos, Accra, Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Dakar, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Yaoundé.
The United States has also clarified that the change does not mean the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. The diplomatic mission remains operational and continues to perform other diplomatic and consular functions.
Applicants seeking routine U.S. visas in Nigeria are therefore advised to make appointments through the designated Lagos visa-processing centre and monitor official U.S. Mission Nigeria channels for updates before making travel arrangements.
The U.S. Department of State said the realignment does not affect currently valid U.S. visas.
