End of an Era: US Suspends Visa Drop Box Service in Nigeria

The US visa drop box service is no longer available for applicants in Nigeria, marking a major change in the visa renewal process.

Reports confirm that the option, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system.

Although the US Embassy in Nigeria has not yet released an official statement, individuals attempting to schedule visa renewals have observed that the drop box feature is no longer accessible on the booking platform.

Applicants have indicated difficulties accessing the platform, suggesting that the drop box service has been eliminated.

Sources suggest that the removal could be linked to a series of executive orders issued by Donald Trump, which have had global implications.

This change comes amid a significant backlog of visa applications, with many individuals waiting months for drop box appointments before the feature was removed.

Some applicants have reportedly faced nearly a year-long wait for a physical appointment, adding to frustrations over the already lengthy process. The removal of the drop box service further complicates the situation for those who were already dealing with extended wait times for in-person visa interviews.

As of January, drop box appointment slots were no longer available in Lagos, forcing many applicants to seek alternatives in Abuja. With the complete discontinuation of the service, all visa applicants will now be required to undergo in-person interviews, reverting to the procedure that was in place before 2020.