The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has ended its partnership with Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), the private agency that previously handled Nigerian visa applications and submissions across major U.S. cities.
The decision takes immediate effect, meaning U.S.-based travelers, diaspora members, and corporate travelers must now route Nigerian visa applications through official diplomatic missions rather than OIS.
Where Applicants Must Now Go
Under the new process, visa applications should be submitted directly to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or the designated consulates in New York and Atlanta.
The NIS and the New York consulate say arrangements are in place to keep submission, processing, and issuance running smoothly during the transition.
What Changes For Applicants
Standard applicants are expected to appear in person at their scheduled appointment with their passport, completed forms, and supporting documents. Children aged five and below, as well as adults aged 70 and above, are exempt from biometric capture and may submit by mail through a recognized courier service.
Passport pickup is no longer on-site, so applicants must include a self-addressed return envelope for secure dispatch of their passport. The NIS also clarified that this update does not affect Nigeria’s e-Visa system, which remains active through the official portal.
Why It Matters For Founders
For women founders, business travelers, and ecosystem builders moving between the U.S. and Nigeria, the immediate shift means more planning time and tighter coordination around travel documents.
With the former OIS centers in cities like Houston and Los Angeles now out of the process, applicants outside Washington, New York, and Atlanta may need extra time for logistics and appointments.
A practical approach is to build in a 3 to 4 week buffer for visa processing and to keep checking official updates from the NIS and Nigerian missions in the U.S. That can help avoid disruptions to trade missions, conferences, and cross-border business travel. Source X
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