Nigeria suspends US visa centres, orders applicants to use embassy, consulates

Nigerians and other residents of the United States seeking entry visas to the country will now submit their applications directly to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., or the country’s Consulates in New York and Atlanta, following the suspension of the services of Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the US.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the suspension took effect in July 2026 and would remain in force until further notice.

According to the Service, the decision affects only visa application submissions previously handled by OIS Services and does not impact Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) platform.

“Effective from July 2026, the service of Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States of America, has been suspended until further notice,” the statement said.

With the suspension, applicants requiring regular visas are expected to submit their applications directly through the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., or the Consulates-General in New York and Atlanta.

The NIS, however, clarified that travellers eligible for Nigeria’s e-Visa programme should continue to apply through the country’s official e-Visa portal, stressing that the digital system remains fully operational.

The immigration agency assured prospective travellers that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure uninterrupted visa processing despite the suspension of OIS Services.

“The Service further clarifies that this notice applies only to visa application submissions at the Embassy and does not affect the e-Visa System.

“Applicants can continue to apply via the official e-Visa platform,” the statement added.

It also assured applicants that measures had been implemented to guarantee seamless submission, processing and issuance of visas throughout the transition.

The announcement comes months after the United States introduced stricter immigration measures affecting Nigeria and several other African countries.

The US had imposed partial visa restrictions covering multiple visa categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas, while also introducing visa bond requirements of up to $15,000 for certain applicants under other visa categories.

Although the NIS did not link the suspension of OIS Services to the US immigration measures, the latest development would alter visa application procedures for thousands of travellers in the United States seeking entry into Nigeria.

The Service advised applicants to regularly monitor official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service as well as Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the United States for updated guidance on visa application procedures.

It reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient and uninterrupted visa services throughout the transition period.