The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has suspended the services of Online Integrated Solution (OIS Services), the operator of Nigeria’s Visa Application Centres in the United States, effective from July 1.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI) Mr. Akinsola Akinlabi, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday. The suspension affected prospective travellers and Nigerians residing in the United States who required visas to enter Nigeria.
According to Akinlabi, all applicants seeking Nigerian visas are now required to submit their applications directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Consulates General of Nigeria in New York and Atlanta. The Service Spokesman explained that the suspension of OIS Services would remain in force until further notice.
The directive applies only to visa application submissions at the Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States, not the electronic visa (e-Visa) system.
Applicants can continue to apply for e-Visas through the official online portal, as the service had put adequate measures in place to ensure the seamless submission, processing, and issuance of visas despite the suspension of the Visa Application Centres.
Akinlabi urged applicants to monitor the official communication channels of the NIS and the Nigerian Mission in the United States for updates on visa application procedures.
The NIS spokesman expressed appreciation for the applicants’ understanding and cooperation during the period and reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Immigration Service to efficient service delivery.
Mr. Akinlabi's statement also clarified that the suspension is temporary and only applies to visa applications submitted in the United States.
The NIS is likely taking steps to ensure the security and integrity of visa applications, given the sensitivity of the information.
Akinsola Akinlabi has been a key figure in the NIS for several years, serving as Public Relations Officer since 2019.
The NIS has a long history of regulating immigration and issuing visas to Nigerian citizens and foreigners alike.
The e-Visa system was introduced in 2018 to streamline the application process and reduce the burden on physical visa centers.
As a result of this suspension, applicants will need to adjust their travel plans and submission timelines to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
This change will likely have an impact on Nigerian citizens and foreigners residing in the US who were using the online services to apply for visas.
The NIS has not yet provided a timeline for when the Visa Application Centres will resume operations.