Nigerian visa applicants in US must now submit directly to embassies as NIS ends OIS contract

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has terminated its contract with Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the third-party company that previously handled visa application centres across the United States. All Nigerian visa applications in the US must now be submitted directly to Nigerian diplomatic missions with immediate effect.

What has changed

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said applicants must now process their visa requests directly through Nigeria's embassy and consulates until further notice. Applications can now be filed at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., and the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta.

The NIS did not disclose the reason for ending its engagement with OIS Services. However, the agency stressed that the transition takes effect immediately.

Assurances from NIS

To ease concerns over the sudden change, the immigration agency assured travellers that adequate arrangements have been put in place to prevent disruptions in visa processing. Akinlabi said the embassy and consulates have been fully prepared to handle visa submissions, processing and issuance efficiently despite the new responsibility.

“The embassy and consulates have put adequate measures in place to ensure seamless submission, processing and issuance of visas,” the statement said.

He urged applicants to follow only official communication channels for updates on any additional changes to the visa application process.

What applicants should do

The NIS advised intending travellers to regularly check announcements from the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria's diplomatic missions in the United States for the latest information on application procedures. Officials noted that further guidance may be issued as the new system is implemented, according to a report by TheCable.

The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to improving service delivery and ensuring that Nigerians and foreign nationals requiring Nigerian visas continue to receive timely and efficient services.

Travellers are encouraged to begin preparations early and ensure they submit their applications only through the embassy in Washington, D.C., or the consulates in New York and Atlanta to avoid delays or unnecessary complications during the transition period.

What this means for applicants

The latest development marks a significant shift in Nigeria's visa administration in the United States, ending the use of a private visa application provider and returning the process directly to Nigerian diplomatic missions. For applicants, the change removes a layer of third-party fees and processing steps, but it also means consular staff will now handle a higher volume of submissions directly.