The U.S. Embassy in Abuja stops routine visa processing and directs applicants to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos. Multiple Nigerian outlets report that the change takes effect on August 1, 2026, through a visa advisory or a notice shared on the embassy’s official social media account.
The reports say routine visa services are now handled in Lagos, while Abuja continues to serve some visa-related needs. Outlets note that applicants who already have scheduled appointments are still expected to be seen, though their dates may be adjusted, and they are advised to check their email for updates. Some coverage also states that previously purchased, unused Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee receipts can be used to book new appointments at the Lagos consulate.
Most sources describe the move as part of a broader U.S. Department of State effort to realign routine visa operations across Africa by consolidating processing at designated regional hubs. One outlet adds that the shift is intended to improve efficiency and support consistent screening, vetting, and adjudication standards, and emphasizes that the Abuja embassy is not closing. The change applies to routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories.
