The drop box visa processing option is no longer available for US visa applicants in Nigeria, marking a major shift in the visa renewal process.
The service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has quietly disappeared from the appointment booking system. While the US Embassy in Nigeria has not issued an official statement on the matter, many applicants attempting to schedule renewals have reported that the drop box feature is no longer available.
Several applicants noted that they have been unable to access the platform, suggesting that the removal may have taken effect without prior notice. The change comes amid a backlog of visa applications, with many individuals already facing long wait times for appointments. Some applicants had waited nearly a year to secure an in-person interview before this latest development.
As of January, drop box appointment slots were already unavailable in Lagos, forcing many applicants to seek alternatives in Abuja. Now, with the complete removal of the drop box feature, all applicants will have to go through in-person interviews, reverting to the process in place before 2020.
The drop box (Interview Waiver) program was introduced to streamline the visa renewal process, allowing certain applicants to submit their documents without attending an in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. To qualify, applicants needed to meet specific criteria, including:
– Holding a prior US visa that expired within the last 24 months.
– Having been issued a full-validity, multiple-entry visa in Nigeria.
– Applying for the same visa classification as their previous approval.
– No history of overstaying, unauthorized work, or criminal convictions in the US.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of State expanded eligibility in August 2020, allowing applicants whose visas expired within 48 months to use the drop box system. This measure aimed to reduce in-person interactions and streamline renewals amid travel restrictions.
However, the drop box service in Nigeria has faced previous suspensions. In 2018, during Donald Trump’s administration, the US government removed the option, citing concerns over visa overstays by Nigerian travelers. At that time, the US mission required all applicants to attend in-person interviews, resulting in longer processing times and appointment delays.
With this latest policy shift, Nigerians applying for US visas will now face additional hurdles, particularly business travelers, students, and frequent visitors who previously relied on the drop box system for faster renewals. The return to full in-person interviews could further extend visa processing times, adding to an already complicated application process.
