The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has officially discontinued the drop-box visa processing option, significantly altering the visa renewal process for Nigerian applicants. Sources confirm that the feature, which allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system.
While there has been no formal statement from the U.S. Embassy regarding the change, several applicants have reported that the drop box option is no longer available on the platform. This decision comes as part of ongoing adjustments to the visa system, which have caused frustration among those attempting to schedule renewals.
The removal of the drop-box service follows a series of challenges faced by applicants in securing timely appointments. Prior to this change, long wait times and appointment backlogs had already led to delays, with some individuals waiting up to a year for in-person interviews. The drop-box system, which was introduced to streamline the process and ease the burden of lengthy wait times, has now been completely phased out, pushing all applicants to undergo in-person interviews.
The drop box (interview waiver) program was originally designed to facilitate visa renewals by allowing applicants who met certain criteria to submit documents without attending an interview. Criteria included having a prior U.S. visa within the last 24 months and no criminal convictions or history of overstaying. In August 2020, the program was expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, permitting those whose visas expired within 48 months to apply via the drop box system.
However, the program has faced suspensions in the past, particularly in 2018, when the U.S. government, under the administration of Donald Trump, removed the option due to concerns over visa overstays. The current removal of the drop box feature marks a shift back to the pre-2020 process, further contributing to longer processing times.
This policy change is expected to have a notable impact on business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who previously benefited from the expedited renewal process. Now, applicants will be required to attend in-person interviews, which may exacerbate the already extended wait times for securing visa appointments.
As applicants navigate this new development, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has yet to provide further guidance or details regarding potential alternative solutions to ease the process.
