The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that visa applications in Nigeria are now processed and approved within 48 hours, thanks to a newly automated system.
Tunji-Ojo made this announcement during the inauguration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Technology Innovation Complex (BATTIC) at the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) headquarters by President Bola Tinubu.
The minister highlighted that the automation represents a significant improvement over previous timelines, which often took days or even weeks.
“We now have an automated visa regime with approvals granted within 48 hours,” Tunji-Ojo confirmed.
This development coincides with changes in the U.S. visa application process for immigrants, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. The U.S. Embassy announced that applicants with scheduled interviews will be required to visit the Consulate General in Lagos at least twice during the application process.
According to a social media post from the embassy, the new procedure aims to enhance applicant preparation and minimize delays.
“For interviews scheduled after January 1, 2025, applicants must visit the Consulate General in Lagos twice during the immigrant visa process. This change is designed to help applicants prepare for their interviews and prevent significant delays in processing,” the statement reads.
