ABUJA, Nigeria, The Nigeria Immigration Service has ended its partnership with Online Integrated Solutions, the private firm that operated Nigeria’s Visa Application and Submission Centres across the United States, and directed all applicants to submit their documents directly at Nigerian diplomatic missions. The agency announced the change Thursday in a public notice, saying OIS Services has been “officially disengaged” from collecting and processing visa applications on behalf of the Nigerian government.
The decision affects thousands of prospective travellers and Nigerians living in the U.S. who rely on the centres for biometric capture and document submission. Applicants must now visit the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or the Consulates in New York and Atlanta until further notice. The Consulate General in New York separately confirmed the move, stating on its website that OIS “has discontinued” visa collection and submission services. OIS previously operated centres in several U.S. cities, including Houston, Los Angeles and New Jersey, making the shift a significant change in Nigeria’s consular operations abroad.
Neither the Immigration Service nor Nigerian missions in the U.S. have provided details on why the contract was terminated, leaving questions about whether the decision is linked to policy changes, performance concerns or a broader review of outsourced consular services. Outsourcing visa processing is common globally, with many countries using private firms to manage high-volume applications. A sudden disengagement may cause temporary delays, and diaspora groups are expected to seek clarification on how the transition will affect processing times.
The development comes as Nigeria continues to adjust its diplomatic and administrative procedures, with officials emphasizing improved service delivery and accountability. The change is likely to draw reactions from travellers, immigration lawyers and diaspora organizations who depend on streamlined visa services. As with all government announcements, readers should confirm updates with official Nigerian mission websites or trusted sources.
