The United States Department of State has announced a major realignment of its visa operations across Africa, with routine visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja set to end from August 1, 2026.

The move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to strengthen national security, improve the consistency of visa screening and vetting, reduce operational costs, and better align visa services with U.S. immigration priorities.

Under the new arrangement, Nigerians seeking nonimmigrant or immigrant visas will be required to schedule appointments and pay visa fees at the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, which has been designated as Nigeria’s regional visa hub for routine visa processing. The changes apply to tourist, business, employment, family-based, fiancé(e), diversity, adoption, and other routine visa categories.

The State Department clarified that the realignment does not mean the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. The embassy will continue to operate and provide American Citizen Services and other diplomatic functions, while routine visa processing is transferred to designated regional hubs.

The department also confirmed that currently valid U.S. visas remain unaffected, while applicants with existing appointments at affected locations will receive further guidance via email. Visa suspensions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, visa bond requirements, and immigrant visa pauses for certain nationalities will remain in effect.