US clarifies Abuja embassy remains open despite visa processing shift

The United States Mission in Nigeria has clarified that the realignment of routine visa processing from Abuja to Lagos will not affect the operational status of the US Embassy in Abuja.

The clarification followed the US Department of State’s announcement that routine visa services in Abuja would be transferred to a regional visa hub effective August 1, 2026.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, the US Mission said the adjustment applied only to routine visa processing and did not amount to the closure of the Abuja embassy.

“The realignment of routine visa processing does not change the operating status of any of the embassies and consulates or the important work they continue to conduct on behalf of the American people,” the mission said.

The Department of State had announced on July 15 that it was realigning routine visa operations in several African countries to regional hubs to strengthen national security, improve efficiency and ensure more uniform screening, vetting and adjudication standards.

Under the new arrangement, Nigerians and residents seeking US visas through routine services will process their applications at designated locations.

Lagos has been designated Nigeria’s regional visa hub, alongside other centres including Accra, Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Dakar, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kigali, Kinshasa, Luanda and Yaoundé.

The realignment covers both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services, including tourist and business visas, petition-based visas, immediate relative and family preference visas, employment-based visas, fiancé or fiancée visas, adoptions, Diversity Visas and follow-to-join cases.

The department stressed that the changes would not invalidate existing visas.

“This does not affect any currently valid visas,” it said.

Applicants who already have appointments at posts where routine visa services have been discontinued were advised to check their emails for specific instructions.

The department also provided guidance for applicants who had already paid Machine Readable Visa fees at affected locations, including deadlines for scheduling appointments.

It said affected immigrant visa applicants could complete mandatory medical examinations in their home countries where approved panel physicians were available or at designated regional visa hubs.

The US government further noted that existing visa suspensions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, visa bond requirements and immigrant visa pauses affecting certain nationalities remained in force.

The latest clarification means the US Embassy in Abuja will continue to operate and perform its diplomatic and consular functions, even though routine visa processing has shifted to Lagos.