Quick Read: The US has removed the visa drop box service for applicants in Nigeria, requiring all renewals to go through in-person interviews. This change comes amid long wait times and a backlog of visa applications. The drop box program previously allowed eligible applicants to renew visas without an interview. The removal may significantly impact frequent travelers, students, and business professionals.
US Discontinues Visa Drop Box Service in Nigeria
The US visa drop box processing option is no longer available for applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant change in the visa renewal process. This development means all applicants must now undergo in-person interviews, reverting to the pre-2020 system.
Drop Box Service Quietly Removed
The drop box service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system. While the US Embassy in Nigeria has not issued an official statement, many applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have reported that the drop box feature is no longer an option.
This change comes amid an already extensive backlog of visa applications. Before its removal, many applicants had faced long wait times—some lasting nearly a year—to secure drop box appointments. In Lagos, drop box slots had been unavailable since January, forcing many to seek alternatives in Abuja.
Impact on Applicants
With the removal of the drop box feature, all applicants must now go through in-person interviews. This shift is expected to increase wait times, affecting business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who relied on the drop box system for quicker renewals.
Understanding the Drop Box (Interview Waiver) Program
The drop box service, also known as the Interview Waiver program, was introduced to simplify visa renewals by allowing eligible applicants to submit their documents without attending an in-person interview. To qualify, applicants had to meet specific criteria, including:
- Holding a prior US visa that expired within the last 24 months.
- The previous visa must have been issued in Nigeria as a full-validity, multiple-entry visa.
- Applying for the same visa classification as the prior approved visa.
- No record of overstaying, unauthorized work, or criminal convictions in the US.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2020, the US Department of State expanded eligibility, allowing applicants whose visas had expired within 48 months to apply through the drop box system. This measure aimed to streamline renewals and minimize in-person interactions.
History of Drop Box Suspensions in Nigeria
This is not the first time the drop box service has been suspended in Nigeria. In 2018, during Donald Trump’s administration, the US government removed the option due to concerns over visa overstays by Nigerian travelers. The US mission mandated in-person interviews for all applicants, leading to longer processing times and delays.
With the latest removal of the drop box feature, Nigerians applying for US visas must now prepare for longer wait times and a return to full in-person interviews, making the process more time-consuming and challenging.
