US Embassy stops routine visa processing in Abuja, moves services to Lagos

The US Embassy in Abuja has stopped processing routine visa applications, directing applicants to the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

According to the latest visa advisory, the change took effect on August 1, 2026, with routine visa services now available only at the Consulate General in Lagos.

The embassy said applicants who already had appointments scheduled in Abuja would still be attended to, although some appointments may have been rescheduled.

Applicants with appointments in Abuja have been advised to check their email for information regarding their new appointment dates.

The tweet reads, “Routine visa services are only available at Consulate General Lagos. Effective August 1, 2026, U.S. Embassy Abuja no longer processes routine visa applications. All applicants who already have scheduled appointments will be honored; however, those dates may have been rescheduled. Those with appointments in Abuja should check their email for their new appointment date.”

The U.S. authorities also clarified that applicants who have an unused and still-valid MRV (visa application) fee receipt can use it to schedule a new appointment at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos.

The development means applicants seeking routine U.S. visa services in Nigeria will now have to make arrangements to process their applications through the Lagos consulate.

Applicants have been advised to check the official visa appointment website for further information on visa services, locations and operating hours.