The United States has announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja will end from August 1, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring of its overseas consular operations.
The US Department of State said the move, which affects 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa, is aimed at centralising routine visa services in regional hubs to enhance national security, reduce government spending, and ensure greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.
In a statement published on the US Department of State website, the department said the reorganisation aligns with the President Donald Trump’s administration’s priority of placing America’s interests and security first.
Other affected diplomatic posts are located in Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou and Windhoek.
The State Department, however, clarified that the change affects only routine visa processing, does not alter the operational status of the embassies and consulates involved and also emphasised that all diplomatic missions will continue to provide consular services and carry out their regular functions on behalf of the United States.
The department further assured travellers that the policy does not invalidate visas that have already been issued.
