NewsNigeriaPoliticsUS to End Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy

The United States will stop routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja from 1 August 2026, as part of a major overhaul of consular operations across Africa aimed at centralising visa services in regional hubs.

The move, announced by the US Department of State, will also affect 24 other American diplomatic missions on the continent as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks to streamline overseas operations, strengthen security screening and reduce government spending.

According to the department, the restructuring is designed to improve the consistency of visa screening, vetting and adjudication while aligning consular operations with US national security priorities.

The affected diplomatic posts are located in Abuja, Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou and Windhoek.

The State Department, however, clarified that the decision applies only to routine visa processing and does not affect the overall operations of the embassies and consulates.

It said the affected missions would continue to provide consular assistance to American citizens, handle diplomatic and emergency services, and perform other official functions on behalf of the United States. The department also stressed that visas already issued remain valid and are not affected by the policy.

Under the new arrangement, visa applicants from countries affected by the policy will be required to schedule appointments and submit applications at designated regional processing hubs.

In Nigeria, Lagos has been designated as one of the regional visa processing centers, alongside Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Dakar, Addis Ababa, and Kampala.

Applicants with existing appointments at affected missions are expected to receive further instructions from the U.S. embassy handling their applications.

Meanwhile, VFS Global has opened a new Joint Visa Application Centre in Lekki, Lagos, to process visa applications for 15 countries from a single location.

The company said the new centre would help meet the increasing demand for outbound travel from Nigeria by offering greater capacity, improved accessibility and enhanced customer experience.

The countries covered by the facility are Australia, Angola, Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Dubai (DVPC), Germany, Ireland, Japan, Malta (long-stay), Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sweden.

According to VFS Global, visa application volumes processed in Nigeria during the first half of 2026 remained at the same level as the corresponding period in 2025, following a 51 per cent increase recorded in 2025 compared with 2024.

It said destinations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and China continued to record strong demand from Nigerian travelers, while Australia, Ireland, and Schengen countries, including Sweden and Portugal, also experienced sustained growth in applications.

The company attributed the trend to increased international travel for tourism, business, education and visits to family and friends, as well as improved travel planning by applicants.

Commenting on the relocation of the visa application centre, Regional Head for Central and West Africa at VFS Global, Prashant Kansara, said: “The relocation of our Joint Visa Application Centre to a more spacious and convenient location in Lekki, Lagos is a testament to our ability to cater effectively to the growing demand for outbound travel and visa services from Nigeria in recent years.

“The new center offers enhanced capacity and a superior customer experience, enabling us to support travelers more efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of service and security.

“With international travel demand remaining strong, we encourage applicants to plan and submit their visa applications well in advance of their intended travel dates, particularly during peak holiday periods and student intake seasons. Applying early helps travellers better prepare for their journeys and contributes to a smoother application experience.”

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By Ezinwanne Onwuka (Senior Reporter)

Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.

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