The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the immediate termination of its partnership with its third-party visa application service provider in the United States, directing all visa applicants to process their applications directly through Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Service’s Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, who confirmed that the new directive takes immediate effect.
Before the latest development, Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services) managed Nigeria’s visa application and submission centres across the United States on behalf of the Nigerian government.
Under the new arrangement, individuals seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the country’s Consulates located in New York and Atlanta.
According to Akinlabi, the change will remain in force until further notice.
“Travellers seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, or at the Consulates of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta until further notice,” the statement read.
The Nigeria Immigration Service did not disclose the reason behind the decision to disengage the former service provider.
However, the agency assured prospective applicants that the Nigerian Embassy and the two Consulates have already put adequate structures in place to ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted visa processing.
The Service stated that all necessary arrangements have been made to facilitate the submission, processing and issuance of Nigerian visas without unnecessary delays.
Applicants were also advised to rely only on official communication platforms for updates regarding visa application procedures.
Akinlabi urged travellers to regularly monitor announcements from the Nigeria Immigration Service and the official Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States for any additional information or changes to the process.
“The NIS remains committed to providing efficient service delivery,” he stated.
The latest move forms part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of consular services and simplify visa processing for Nigerians living abroad as well as foreign nationals intending to visit the country.
Over the years, stakeholders within the travel and immigration industry have repeatedly advocated greater transparency in Nigeria’s visa administration process.
Many have argued that direct government oversight would help eliminate processing delays, reduce administrative bottlenecks and address concerns over additional fees often associated with third-party service providers.
The decision by the Nigeria Immigration Service is expected to significantly alter the visa application process for applicants in the United States as the government continues its broader reforms aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s immigration system.
