FG TO ADDRESS SUSPENSION OF U.S. VISA DROP BOX SERVICE FOR RENEWALS
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The Nigerian Federal Government plans to engage in diplomatic efforts and collaborate with the relevant authorities to address the suspension of the drop box service for Nigerians renewing their U.S. visas.
This was revealed by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Oluwole Oke, during a program on Tuesday.
“I am in the U.S. I will take this matter up. After my meeting here in New York, I will proceed to Washington. We have a chargé d’affaires there. I will discuss this with him and work on a way to resolve the situation,” Oke said.
The drop box system allowed certain applicants, particularly those with recent U.S. travel history, to submit their passports without requiring an interview, thus reducing waiting times.
However, complaints emerged from visa applicants last weekend, revealing that the U.S. had suspended the drop box service in Nigeria. As a result, all visa applicants seeking renewals must now attend in-person interviews.
This change comes amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies in the U.S.
Oke downplayed the suspension, arguing it wasn’t a significant issue since Nigeria does not offer a similar service for U.S. citizens renewing their Nigerian visas.
The lawmaker explained that he had contacted Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, who confirmed that Nigeria had not received any official communication from the U.S. regarding the suspension of the drop box service.
“I don’t think this is a major issue. The U.S. has the right to cancel the drop box system for Nigerians renewing their visas. Diplomatic relations are governed by the principle of reciprocity,” Oke stated. “We don’t provide a drop box service for Americans renewing their Nigerian visas, so it’s their prerogative to offer it to us or withdraw it. For instance, until President Bola Tinubu assumed office, the U.S. issued Nigerian visas for just two years, while we issued them for one year. They later switched to five-year visas, but we continued issuing one-year visas until President Tinubu instructed the Ministry of Interior to reciprocate.”
He added, “It’s ultimately their decision. I reached out to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to inquire about this matter, and he told me that no official communication has been received from the U.S. on the issue.”
Oke also expressed hope that the Trump administration might reconsider some of its policies, believing that it would not want to alienate countries like Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a vital country on the global stage, and no nation can afford to overlook us. Trust me, we are a valuable asset, and the world is eager to tap into our potential. I am confident that, going forward, we will benefit from President Trump’s policies,” he said.
Trump, who began his second term on January 20, 2025, has pledged to conduct mass deportations of “criminal aliens” who entered the U.S. illegally. These efforts have already led to widespread raids at homes, schools, workplaces, and shopping centers, resulting in the deportation of undocumented immigrants to countries such as India and Guatemala.
Trump’s immigration stance has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting his actions while others criticize them.
As of 2015, around 376,000 Nigerian immigrants resided in the United States, making Nigeria the largest source of African immigration to the U.S. The U.S. remains a top destination for Nigerian youths and middle-class citizens seeking better opportunities. Nigerians in America contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy, with remittances exceeding $20 billion annually, according to the World Bank’s 2023 data.
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