The United States Embassy in Abuja has stopped processing routine US visa applications, requiring affected Nigerian applicants to use the US Consulate General in Lagos from August 1, 2026.

The change means Nigerians who previously relied on the Abuja embassy for routine visa interviews may now need to travel to Lagos to complete the process, potentially adding transportation and accommodation costs to their applications.

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The US Embassy announced the adjustment in a fresh advisory, stating that routine visa services are now available only at the US Consulate General in Lagos.

“Routine visa services are only available at Consulate General Lagos. Effective August 1, 2026, U.S. Embassy Abuja no longer processes routine visa applications,” the advisory stated.

The change does not automatically cancel appointments that applicants had already secured in Abuja.

According to the embassy, applicants with existing appointments will still be attended to, although some appointments may be moved to different dates.

Applicants affected by any changes have been advised to monitor their email accounts for updated appointment information.

The embassy also provided guidance for applicants who had already paid the Machine Readable Visa fee.

Applicants with valid and unused MRV fee receipts can use the receipts to schedule new appointments through the Lagos consulate, according to the advisory.

The adjustment is particularly significant for applicants living in northern and central parts of Nigeria, who previously had Abuja as a more accessible location for routine US visa services.

Such applicants may now have to make additional travel arrangements to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, depending on the type of visa service required and their existing appointment status.

The US visa Abuja applicants affected by the change include people seeking routine visa services that were previously handled at the embassy.

The embassy has advised applicants to rely on the official appointment platform for current information about available services, locations and operating hours.

The decision also makes the US Consulate General in Lagos the primary location for routine visa processing in Nigeria.

Applicants are therefore advised to confirm their appointment details before making travel arrangements, particularly where an existing Abuja appointment may have been rescheduled.

The latest adjustment comes amid a period of increased scrutiny of US immigration and visa procedures affecting Nigerians and other foreign nationals.

For applicants, the immediate practical issue is the change in location. While existing appointments may be honoured, new or rescheduled routine applications will generally need to be handled through Lagos.

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Applicants should consequently check their email notifications and appointment records carefully and confirm the current processing location before travelling.