US Shifts Visa Processing from Abuja to Lagos Effective August

The US Department of State announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja will be moved to Lagos effective August 1. This change is part of a broader restructuring of visa operations across Africa, impacting 24 other cities.

The consolidation aims to strengthen national security, ensure uniform screening and vetting procedures, and improve operational efficiency. Applicants in Abuja will now process their visa applications through the US Consulate General in Lagos.

The Department of State emphasized that visa applicants in the affected areas must schedule appointments and pay fees at their designated regional processing centers starting August 1. The new regional hubs include cities such as Accra, Nairobi, Dakar, and Johannesburg.

For example, applicants from Benin Republic and Niger will be processed in Lomé, Togo, while those from Mali will use the US mission in Dakar, Senegal. The restructuring aligns with the Trump administration’s policy of enhancing border security while maintaining rigorous visa screening standards.