Visa application process changes for Nigerians in the United States
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a major change to its visa application process for people applying from the United States. The Service said Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), which operates Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the US, has been suspended.
The suspension took effect from 1 July 2026 and will remain in place until further notice. However, the NIS assured applicants that alternative arrangements have already been made to prevent disruption to visa processing.
For many travellers, this simply means they can no longer submit their applications through OIS Services. Instead, they must now take their applications directly to designated Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States.
According to a statement e-signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, applicants should submit their documents at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Consulates General in New York and Atlanta.
“Effective from 1st July, 2026, the service of Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centers in the United States of America has been suspended until further notice.”
The Service stressed that the announcement affects only physical visa application submissions handled by OIS Services. Therefore, travellers using Nigeria’s electronic visa platform are not affected by the latest development.
Applicants who qualify for an e-Visa can continue using the online system without interruption. This means those eligible do not need to visit OIS Services, as the e-Visa platform remains fully operational.
The Nigeria Immigration Service also assured travellers that enough measures have been introduced to ensure smooth processing and issuance of visas. According to the Service, applicants should not expect major delays simply because OIS Services has been suspended.
In addition, the NIS advised prospective travellers and Nigerians living in the United States to follow only official communication channels for updates. This will help applicants obtain accurate information on any future changes to the visa application process.
Applicants using the electronic platform can continue their applications through the official Nigeria e-Visa portal. Meanwhile, those requiring physical submissions should contact the Embassy or the appropriate Consulate before travelling for appointments or document submission.
The Service thanked applicants for their patience and cooperation during the transition. It reaffirmed its commitment to efficient service delivery while ensuring Nigerians and foreign travellers continue to access visa services with minimal inconvenience.
The latest announcement is expected to affect thousands of travellers in the United States. However, the NIS insists the new arrangement is designed to keep Nigeria’s visa application process running smoothly while further updates are communicated through official government channels.
