Nigeria has suspended the operations of Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), the private company that previously managed visa application centres for Nigerian visas in the United States, requiring applicants to submit their requests directly through Nigerian diplomatic missions.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced the decision in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the suspension took effect in July 2026 and will remain in place until further notice.
The move means that individuals in the United States seeking Nigerian visas must now lodge their applications directly with the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or the country’s Consulates-General in New York and Atlanta.
Suspension Takes Immediate Effect
According to the immigration agency, the suspension applies exclusively to OIS Services, which had been responsible for handling visa application submissions through Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres across the United States.
The NIS, however, did not disclose the reason behind the decision or provide a timeline for when the arrangement may be reviewed.
Officials urged prospective travellers to follow updated application procedures through Nigeria’s diplomatic missions while monitoring official channels for further guidance.
The immigration service clarified that the suspension does not affect Nigeria’s electronic visa (e-Visa) platform. Applicants eligible for Nigeria’s e-Visa programme can continue to submit their applications through the country’s official online portal without interruption.
The agency stressed that the changes apply only to physical visa application submissions that were previously processed through OIS Services. The NIS said it has implemented alternative arrangements to ensure visa processing continues without major disruptions despite the suspension of the third-party service provider.
According to the agency, the measures are intended to maintain efficient submission, processing and issuance of visas for applicants in the United States.
The service advised applicants to regularly check official communication channels of both the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian diplomatic missions in the U.S. for updates on revised procedures.
Development Comes Amid Changing U.S. Visa Policies
The suspension comes months after the United States introduced tighter visa measures affecting Nigeria and several other African countries.
Earlier this year, U.S. authorities announced restrictions covering several non-immigrant visa categories while also introducing bond requirements for certain applicants from selected countries, with some applicants potentially required to post bonds of up to $15,000 before obtaining specific visa classifications.
Although the NIS did not link its latest decision to those U.S. policy changes, the timing comes against the backdrop of evolving immigration and travel regulations affecting travellers between both countries.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to providing efficient and reliable immigration services and encouraged applicants to rely solely on official government communication channels for accurate information.
