The United States has suspended its visa dropbox service in Nigeria, requiring all visitor visa applicants to attend in-person interviews for renewals.
The dropbox system previously allowed eligible applicants, particularly those with recent U.S. travel history, to submit passports without interviews, reducing wait times.
The removal of this option has sparked concerns over increased delays, as visa interview dates are already stretched over a year in some cases.
Many Nigerians, including students and business travellers, may now face disruptions to their travel plans.
While the U.S. Embassy has not provided an official explanation, some observers link the decision to the lingering impact of PR Donald Trump’s restrictive immigration policies.
His administration previously imposed travel bans on several African nations, including Nigeria, citing security concerns.
