US Embassy in Abuja Stops Routine Visa Processing, Directs Applicants to Lagos
The United States Embassy in Abuja has stopped processing routine visa applications, directing applicants to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos under a new arrangement that took effect on August 1, 2026.
The embassy confirmed the change in a visa advisory, stating that routine visa services are now available only at the Lagos consulate. The development does not mean the Abuja embassy has closed; it specifically concerns routine visa processing.
Applicants who already had visa appointments scheduled in Abuja have been told that their appointments will be honoured, although some dates may have been rescheduled. Those affected have been advised to check their email for updated appointment information.
The U.S. mission also said applicants holding an unused and still-valid MRV (visa application) fee receipt can use it to schedule a new appointment at the Lagos consulate.
The shift means applicants travelling from Abuja and other parts of northern and central Nigeria may now have to travel to Lagos for routine visa interviews, potentially increasing the cost and logistical burden for applicants.
The change comes as the United States continues to reorganise visa operations in several African countries, with the aim of consolidating routine services and strengthening screening and adjudication processes.
Applicants should therefore confirm the location of their interview before making travel arrangements and rely on official U.S. Mission Nigeria communications for appointment changes.
