The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will switch to a new company for visa services starting on August 26, 2024.
This means changes in how nonimmigrant visa applications are handled. But if you already have an appointment, it is still good.
If your interview is on or before August 16, 2024, you don’t need to do anything. You can still go to ustraveldocs.com to check your appointment details and contact customer service if you need help.
If your interview is between August 16 and August 26, 2024, you won’t be able to access your ustraveldocs.com account after August 16, 2024. Thus, it is very important to print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16, 2024.
Try your best to attend your interview. If you miss it, don’t worry. Instructions for rescheduling will be available after August 26, 2024.
If your interview is on or after August 26, 2024, you won’t be able to use your ustraveldocs.com account after August 16, 2024. A new visa services website will start on August 26, 2024. You will need to create a new account on the new website to check information, make changes, submit requests, or contact customer service.
Remember to print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16, 2024, to avoid any issues with the new account setup.
Visa fees and appointment scheduling:
If you have paid the Visa Application Fee but no interview is scheduled, make an appointment as soon as you can and follow the rules based on your interview date.
If you haven’t paid the Visa Application Fee and need to travel in August 2024, pay the fee and make an appointment quickly. Follow the provided guidelines.
If you haven’t paid the MRV Fee and need to travel after August 26, 2024, consider waiting until after August 26, 2024, to start the visa process.
Visa dates:
August 8, 2024: This is the last day to pay visa fees in cash at the bank.
August 15, 2024: This is the last day to access ustraveldocs.com for online fee payments, appointment scheduling, and customer service.
August 21, 2024: This is the deadline to drop off documents at Premium Delivery locations.
August 23, 2024: This is the last day to drop off documents at regular courier locations.
August 26, 2024: The new visa appointment website will start with updated services, including fee payments, appointment scheduling, and new document drop-off locations.
What you should know:
David Greene, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, says the embassy is working hard to resolve visa application issues. He shared this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.
Greene said that even though the demand for visa appointments is high, the embassy is making sure appointments are available. He said, “The demand for visa appointments is greater than the supply, but we want to reassure the public that appointments are available, and we are actively working to address this challenge.” Greene mentioned that the embassy has made good progress despite the backlog from COVID-19.
He also noted, “This year alone, we have conducted over 150,000 interviews with Nigerians, including 30,000 with students, providing ample opportunities for U.S. visa applications.”