U.S dropbox system had a 90% approval rate- Expert

The Dropbox system for visa applications to the United States had a 90 per cent approval rate.

This was shared by Sam Amadi, director, of Abuja School of Social and Political thoughts on the recent removal of the Dropbox system which eliminated the need for visa applicants to appear for in-person interviews.

The Dropbox system allowed eligible applicants, particularly those with recent U.S. travel history and who had no negative record, to submit their passports without attending interviews, significantly reducing wait times. With the removal of this option, concerns have arisen over increased delays, as visa interview dates in Nigeria are already stretched over a year in some cases. This change could disrupt the travel plans of many Nigerians, including students and business travellers.

Since January, dropbox appointment slots have already been unavailable in Lagos, forcing many applicants to look for alternatives in Abuja. The complete removal of the Dropbox feature means the visa renewal process reverts to the pre-2020 system, further exacerbating backlogs.

When Trump was first in office, this policy was also suspended, which led to a backlog of visa applications requiring in-person interviews.

“…In-person interviews introduce greater discretion and subjectivity. If there is an underlying agenda to reduce visa approvals, then applicants appearing in person may face stricter scrutiny. This could lead to higher rejection rates. It also creates logistical issues—students and others with urgent visa needs will struggle to get appointments, and the backlog will worsen”, Dr. Amadi notes.

Curbing migration

Although the U.S. Embassy has not provided an official explanation, some observers believe the decision is linked to the lingering impact of Donald Trump’s restrictive immigration policies.

During his administration, travel bans were imposed on several African nations, including Nigeria, citing security concerns.

Amadi highlights that the U.S. government seems intent on curbing all forms of migration, both legal and illegal, stating that discussions have been taking place regarding potential restrictions on opportunities for skilled professionals and students.

“Clearly, Trump has an interest in reducing all forms of migration, both legal and illegal,” he remarked.

“These recent developments in U.S visa policies suggests a shift towards tighter migration controls, with embassy procedures reflecting the broader stance of the current administration”, he notes further.

Other analysts believe that although no official directive has been issued by the Secretary of State, American diplomatic missions appear to be preemptively adjusting their processes in line with the U.S. government’s overall approach.

Hon. Oluwole Oke, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, had this to say: “I don’t think there is any serious issue here. It is the prerogative of the United States to cancel the Dropbox procedure in renewing visas for Nigerians. There is this principle of reciprocity in the diplomatic arena, where states treat each other equally regarding visa issuance or renewal”

“We have a Charge d’Affaires there….I will take this matter up with him and see how we can resolve all the issues.”