The United States has announced the immediate suspension of interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the “Dropbox” process, in Nigeria.
The US Mission to Nigeria disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, in Abuja, said the suspension becomes effective at the close of business on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, adding that its Embassy will no longer accept visa applications by DHL in Nigeria.
However, the Embassy authorities assured that those who have already submitted their passports through DHL for ‘Dropbox’ processing the Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos before the latest development would not be affected.
Likewise, the Embassy authorities said that the processing of diplomatic and official (A, G, and NATO class) visa applications was also not affected.
Consequent upon the development the US Mission to Nigeria hinted that the non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria must apply online and appear in-person at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review.
The full statement reads:
Effective at the close of business today, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria is indefinitely suspending interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the “Dropbox” process.
Visa applications will no longer be accepted by DHL in Nigeria. Those who have already submitted their passports via “Dropbox” to DHL for processing either at the US Embassy in Abuja or the Consulate General in Lagos, will not be impacted by this change.
All applicants in Nigeria seeking a nonimmigrant visa to the United States must apply online and will be required to appear in person at the US Embassy in Abuja or US Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review.
Applicants must appear at the location they specified when applying for the visa renewal.
Processing of diplomatic and official (A, G, and NATO class) visa applications will continue unchanged.
Mission Nigeria’s processing procedures are regularly reviewed in order to assess our ability to quickly, efficiently, and securely process visa applications.
The US Mission is taking this step to provide more efficient customer service and promote legitimate travel and will continue to facilitate applications of established travellers to the best of its ability.