The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has discontinued its third-party visa application service in the United States, directing all travellers seeking Nigerian visas to submit their applications directly to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C., or the country’s Consulates in New York and Atlanta with immediate effect.
Key Highlights
Nigeria Immigration Service ends third-party visa application service in the United States.
Visa applicants must now apply directly through the Nigerian Embassy and Consulates.
The decision takes immediate effect.
Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services) no longer handles Nigerian visa applications in the US.
NIS assures applicants of seamless visa processing at diplomatic missions.
Applicants advised to monitor official NIS and Nigerian mission channels for updates.
The directive was announced in a statement issued by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, who confirmed that the new arrangement takes effect immediately.
Until the latest directive, Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services) managed Nigeria’s visa application and submission centres across the United States.
Although the NIS did not disclose the reason for terminating the arrangement, it instructed all travellers seeking Nigerian visas to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta until further notice.
“Travellers seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Consulates of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta until further notice,” Akinlabi said.
The immigration service assured applicants that the Nigerian Embassy and Consulates have put adequate measures in place to ensure smooth submission, processing and issuance of visas despite the policy change.
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Akinlabi urged prospective travellers to regularly monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions in the United States for updates on visa application procedures and other consular services.
“The NIS remains committed to providing efficient service delivery,” he added.
The development comes as the Federal Government continues efforts to streamline consular operations, strengthen oversight of visa processing, and improve service delivery for Nigerians in the diaspora and foreign nationals seeking entry into Nigeria.
Industry stakeholders have also advocated greater transparency and direct government supervision of visa processing, citing concerns over delays, additional costs and administrative bottlenecks often associated with third-party service providers.
