The United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly discontinued the drop box visa renewal service, requiring all applicants to undergo in-person interviews.
The drop box service previously allowed eligible Nigerians to renew their visas without attending an interview, provided they met specific criteria. Applicants had to hold a prior US visa that expired within 24 months, apply for the same visa category, and have no history of overstaying or criminal convictions in the US.
This policy change comes amid a backlog of visa applications, with many Nigerians facing long wait times to secure drop box appointments before its removal.
The US government had previously suspended the drop box service in Nigeria in 2018, citing concerns about visa overstays among Nigerian travelers. Although the service was later reinstated, its removal now signals a stricter approach to visa processing.
The decision is expected to impact business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who relied on the drop box option for faster renewals. With the change, all applicants will now be required to attend in-person interviews, returning to the process that was in place before 2020.
This shift is likely to increase wait times for visa appointments, which in some cases already extend up to a year. US Removes Visa Dropbox Service for Nigerians Over Overstay Concerns
The United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly discontinued the drop box visa renewal service, requiring all applicants to undergo in-person interviews.
The drop box service previously allowed eligible Nigerians to renew their visas without attending an interview, provided they met specific criteria. Applicants had to hold a prior US visa that expired within 24 months, apply for the same visa category, and have no history of overstaying or criminal convictions in the US.
This policy change comes amid a backlog of visa applications, with many Nigerians facing long wait times to secure drop box appointments before its removal.
The US government had previously suspended the drop box service in Nigeria in 2018, citing concerns about visa overstays among Nigerian travelers. Although the service was later reinstated, its removal now signals a stricter approach to visa processing.
The decision is expected to impact business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who relied on the drop box option for faster renewals. With the change, all applicants will now be required to attend in-person interviews, returning to the process that was in place before 2020.
This shift is likely to increase wait times for visa appointments, which in some cases already extend up to a year.
