Trump: US Discontinues Drop Box Visa Service in Nigeria

U.S. President Donald Trump announces the end of the drop box visa service in Nigeria, a move that could impact visa renewal processes for many applicants.

The United States has stopped offering the drop box visa processing option for applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant shift in how visa renewals are managed.

Sources confirmed that the option for eligible individuals to renew their visas without an in-person interview has been removed from the appointment booking system.

Although the US Embassy in Nigeria has not released an official statement about this update, applicants trying to schedule renewals have noted that the drop box feature is no longer available on the platform.

Several people involved in the development reported being unable to access the option, suggesting it may have been removed. Sources suggest that this change could be linked to various executive orders from Donald Trump’s administration, which have had worldwide implications.

This change occurs against the backdrop of an increasing backlog in visa applications. Many applicants have previously faced waits extending several months to obtain drop box appointments, with some encountering nearly a year-long delay for securing an in-person interview, heightening frustrations over what is already a challenging process.

This decision comes after a time when lengthy wait times posed significant challenges, with certain applicants finding it difficult to secure an appointment for as long as a year. As of January, Lagos no longer offered the drop box service, prompting many individuals to look for options in Abuja instead. With this feature now entirely removed, all applicants must attend in-person interviews again—reinstating procedures that were last used before 2020.

The Interview Waiver, commonly referred to as the drop box program, was initially launched to streamline visa renewals for select applicants. This initiative allowed qualified individuals to submit their documents without needing an in-person interview at a US Embassy or Consulate. To be eligible, applicants had to meet certain requirements: they must have held a visa that expired within the last 24 months; previously been issued a US visa in Nigeria; be applying for the same type of visa; and maintain no history of overstaying or legal violations while in the United States.

In August 2020, in response to the pandemic, the US Department of State broadened the program’s eligibility criteria by permitting applicants with visas that had expired within 48 months to utilize the drop box system. This measure aimed to make the process more efficient and reduce in-person interactions amid COVID-19 restrictions.

The drop box service has previously encountered suspensions; notably in 2018, under Donald Trump’s initial administration, it was discontinued because of concerns regarding visa overstays by Nigerian travelers. During that period, the US government mandated in-person interviews for all applicants, resulting in extended processing times and delays.

With the complete elimination of the drop box service, Nigerians applying for US visas must now attend in-person interviews again. This change is expected to prolong the already extended waiting times and impact business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who previously depended on the drop box system for expedited visa renewals.