April 10, 2026

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced the temporary suspension of visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy Abuja, raising concerns among applicants with scheduled interviews in the capital.

The announcement was made via the mission’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, where it stated that the embassy is currently closed for visa appointments. Applicants affected by this development have been advised to check their email regularly for updates and new appointment dates, as rescheduling is already underway.

The mission emphasized that this suspension applies only to Abuja, noting that visa services remain fully operational at the U.S. Consulate General Lagos. Applicants who have urgent travel needs may consider Lagos as an alternative, subject to availability of appointment slots.

Although the mission did not disclose the reason for the closure, we suspect that this may due to security concerns as they have also authorized soke embassy staff members and their families to leave Nigeria.

This development is expected to impact a significant number of Nigerians planning travel for education, tourism, business, and family visits, especially those who had already secured interview dates in Abuja. Travel consultants are advising applicants to remain calm, avoid panic rescheduling through unofficial channels, and rely only on verified communication from the U.S. Mission.

Applicants are also encouraged to keep their documents ready, monitor their application status online, and act promptly once new dates are issued to avoid further delays.

The U.S. Mission has reiterated its commitment to maintaining visa services in Nigeria and urged applicants to stay updated through its official platforms as more information becomes available.