The option for US visa applicants in Nigeria to process their applications via drop box might have been discontinued, representing a notable change in the visa renewal procedure. An anonymous reliable source revealed that the drop box service was removed from Lagos in October 2024 and subsequently blocked in Abuja in January 2025.
Another insider confirmed that this service, which previously allowed qualifying applicants to renew their visas without attending an interview, has been discreetly eliminated from the appointment booking system. Although the US Embassy in Nigeria has not officially commented on this alteration, applicants attempting to arrange visa renewals have noted that the drop box option is no longer available on the scheduling platform.
Recent attempts by new applicants to utilize this service have been unsuccessful, indicating that it may have been entirely taken down. This change occurs against the backdrop of a backlog in visa applications, with many individuals having to wait several months for drop box appointments prior to its removal. Some have reported waiting almost a year for a physical appointment, which exacerbates the challenges of an already complex process.
In 2018, during Donald Trump’s presidency, the US government had initially removed this option due to concerns over visa overstays among Nigerian travellers. This led to in-person interviews becoming mandatory for all applicants, resulting in longer wait times and delays in securing visa appointments.
As of February 8, 2025, the earliest available date for a US visa interview appointment is not until February 2026, which could lead to increased desperation among applicants. This situation may open avenues for unscrupulous individuals who might exploit the circumstances by charging fees to help secure earlier appointment dates.
