Routine US visa processing in Abuja will end from August 1, 2026, following a major restructuring of visa operations across Africa by the United States Department of State.
The move, announced by the State Department, is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to strengthen national security, improve the consistency of visa screening and vetting, reduce operational costs, and better align visa services with US immigration priorities.
Under the new arrangement, Nigerians applying for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas must schedule appointments and pay visa fees at the US Consulate in Lagos, which has been designated as Nigeria’s regional hub for routine visa processing.
The changes affect applicants seeking tourist, business, employment, family-based, fiancé(e), diversity, adoption and other routine visa categories.
The State Department clarified that the realignment does not amount to the closure of the US Embassy in Abuja. The embassy will continue to provide American Citizen Services and carry out diplomatic functions, while routine visa processing shifts to designated regional hubs.
The department also confirmed that all currently valid US visas remain valid and are not affected by the policy change. Applicants with existing appointments at affected locations will receive further instructions via email.
According to the State Department, visa suspensions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, visa bond requirements, and immigrant visa pauses affecting certain nationalities will remain in force.
The policy forms part of a wider overhaul of US visa operations across Africa aimed at streamlining processing and enhancing security screening.
