The National Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the suspension of Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria's Visa Application Centres in the United States, effective from July 2026. This means residents of the US seeking Nigerian visas will now have to submit their applications directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, or the Consulates in New York and Atlanta.
Details of the Suspension
In a statement issued on Thursday, the NIS declared that the suspension of OIS Services is effective from July 2026 and will remain in place until further notice. The statement reads: “Effective from July, 2026, the service of Online Integrated Solution (OIS SERVICES), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States of America, has been suspended until further notice.” The NIS did not provide a reason for the suspension or indicate when the arrangement would be reviewed.
Context of the New Policy
The new policy was introduced several months after the US imposed a partial visa ban on Nigeria and many other African countries. As previously reported by Premium Times, the US ban covered a wide range of visa categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. Additionally, the US imposed bond requirements on African countries, requiring applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 before applying for other categories of visas.
Impact on e-Visa System
The NIS clarified that the suspension affects only visa application submissions handled by OIS Services and does not impact Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) system. Travellers seeking e-Visas are still expected to submit their applications through the official e-Visa portal. The agency noted that it has put measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing, and issuance of visas despite the suspension.
“The Service further clarifies that this notice applies only to Visa application submissions at the Embassy and does not affect the e-Visa System. Applicants can continue to apply via the e-Visa portal,” the statement added.
Advice for Applicants
The NIS advised applicants to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures. It reiterated its commitment to providing efficient service delivery. “The public should note that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure seamless submission, processing, and issuance of visas. In this regard, applicants are advised to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures,” the statement further noted.
