The US Department of State has clarified that its embassy in Abuja is not closing, following the realignment of routine visa processing services from Nigeria and several other African countries to designated regional visa hubs.
The clarification comes after the U.S. announced changes to its visa operations across Africa, effective August 1, 2026, as part of an effort to strengthen security screening, improve efficiency and align its overseas operations with U.S. national interests.
Under the new arrangement, routine visa services in Abuja, along with those in Antananarivo, Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou and Windhoek, are being realigned to regional visa hubs.
However, the State Department stressed that the changes do not mean the affected diplomatic missions are shutting down.
Responding to a frequently asked question on the policy, the department said: “The realignment of routine visa processing does not change the operating status of any of the embassies and consulates or the important work they continue to conduct on behalf of the American people.”
