The drop-box visa processing option has been discontinued for US visa applicants in Nigeria, causing a major change in the visa renewal process. Sources confirm that the service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system.
Though the US Embassy in Nigeria has yet to release an official statement, applicants have reported that the drop box feature is no longer available on the visa appointment platform. This change comes amidst a backlog of visa applications, with many applicants already facing lengthy wait times to secure in-person appointments.
The removal of the drop box system follows a series of executive orders from former President Donald Trump that have impacted global visa policies. With the feature now completely removed, all applicants will be required to attend in-person interviews, reverting to the process that was in place before 2020.
The drop box, also known as the Interview Waiver programme, was introduced to make visa renewals easier for certain applicants. Eligibility included having a prior US visa that expired within the last 24 months, applying for the same visa classification, and meeting other criteria. The service was expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, allowing those whose visas expired within 48 months to apply through the drop box system.
However, the service had been suspended in the past, including during Trump’s first administration, due to concerns about visa overstays by Nigerian travellers. The recent removal of the drop box provision has now added further delays for applicants, particularly affecting business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who relied on this quicker option for visa renewals.
