U.S. Ends Routine Visa Processing At Abuja Embassy And 24 Other African Missions

U.S. Ends Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy and 24 Other African Missions The United States has announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja and 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa will end from August 1, 2026, as part of a major restructuring of its overseas consular operations. The U.S. Department of State said the changes will move routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services from affected locations to designated regional visa hubs across the continent. The department said the move is aimed at centralizing operations, improving efficiency, strengthening security screening, and creating greater consistency in visa decisions. Under the new arrangement, applicants in affected countries including Nigeria will need to schedule visa appointments and complete processing at designated regional locations that continue to provide full consular services. Nigeria’s Lagos consulate is among the locations expected to remain a regional processing hub. The decision has raised concerns among some applicants and observers, who warn that traveling to another city or country for visa appointments could create additional financial and logistical challenges, particularly for students, business travelers, and families seeking to visit the United States.

U.S. officials said consular sections at affected posts will continue providing services for American citizens, emergency cases, and certain diplomatic or special-interest matters, even after routine visa processing is transferred. The restructuring is part of a wider effort by Washington to reduce the number of African locations handling visa applications and consolidate services into fewer regional centers.