US Clarifies That Dropbox Visa Renewals Are Still Available for Qualified Nigerians
The United States government has denied reports that the Dropbox visa renewal service for Nigerians has been discontinued, assuring that “qualified applicants in Nigeria can still make Interview Waiver appointments online.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the US State Department clarified the situation following concerns raised by Nigerian applicants about the availability of the Dropbox option. The system, which allowed eligible applicants, particularly those with recent US travel history, to renew their visas without an in-person interview, had previously expedited the visa renewal process.
Recent reports had suggested that the Dropbox system had been removed from the appointment booking platform, prompting fears of a major shift in the visa renewal process for Nigerians. These claims were accompanied by complaints from applicants facing long waits for physical interview slots, some of which have reportedly taken nearly a year to secure.
The report also highlighted that since January, no available Dropbox slots had been visible in Lagos, and applicants might now be required to travel to Abuja for in-person interviews, reverting to the pre-2020 process. However, the US government has now clarified that the Interview Waiver process remains open to eligible applicants.
Responding to these developments, Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, stated that the federal government would engage with US authorities to discuss the issue. He emphasized that the removal of the Dropbox service for Nigerians was not a significant matter, noting that the United States had the right to cancel the service at any time, and the option had been granted at their discretion.
Oke also pointed out that Nigeria does not offer a similar service to US citizens, stating, “When Americans or Nigerians born in America want to renew their visas, we don’t provide them with a drop box.”
The clarification from the US government underscores that the Interview Waiver program is still accessible for qualified applicants, allowing them to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview.
