The United States Embassy in Abuja has clarified that it will continue to process diplomatic and official visas despite the suspension of routine visa services at the mission.

The embassy said applicants who believe they qualify for diplomatic or official visas, including A, G and C categories, should first consult their protocol offices, which normally handle visa-related matters.

According to the embassy, applicants are required to submit a diplomatic note or note verbale from the Foreign Ministry or relevant international organisation, the DS-160 confirmation page, a diplomatic or official passport and one recent photograph taken against a white background.

In a statement posted on X, United States Missions in Nigeria cautioned applicants not to pay the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee unless specifically instructed to do so by a consular officer.

The embassy said the diplomatic note or note verbale accompanying an application must contain the applicant’s name and date of birth, position and title, place of assignment or visit, purpose of travel and a brief description of duties.

‎”It should also state the intended travel date, anticipated length of stay or tour of duty in the United States, as well as the names, relationships and dates of birth of dependants or other household members accompanying or joining the principal applicant,” the statement read.

The embassy said applications for diplomatic and official visas could be dropped off at the Consular Section between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, while Friday, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., is reserved for pick-up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It urged applicants to submit their applications at least 10 business days before their planned departure dates to allow sufficient time for processing.

The clarification comes about a month after the United States announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja and 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa would end from August 1, 2026, as part of a wider restructuring of its overseas consular operations.

The U.S. Department of State said the reorganisation was intended to centralise routine visa services in regional hubs to strengthen national security, reduce government spending and promote greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.