The United States government has dismissed claims that the Dropbox visa renewal system is no longer available for Nigerian applicants, clarifying that “qualified applicants in Nigeria are able to make Interview Waiver appointments online.”
The clarification came through a statement issued by the US State Department Press Office on Wednesday in response to growing concerns and inquiries from Nigerian applicants.
The Dropbox visa system allows eligible applicants, particularly those with recent US travel history, to renew their visas without attending an in-person interview, expediting the renewal process. However, recent reports had suggested that the service had been quietly removed from the appointment booking system, leading to frustration among applicants facing long wait times for physical appointments.
The reports claimed that the removal of the Dropbox option, particularly in Lagos since January, forced some applicants to travel to Abuja for interviews, reverting to pre-2020 procedures.
In response to these concerns, the chairman of Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oluwole Oke, assured that the federal government would engage with US authorities to address the situation. However, he noted that the US has the right to adjust its visa policies.
“I don’t think this is a serious issue. The United States has the right to cancel the Dropbox procedure for Nigerians renewing their visas. In diplomacy, there is the principle of reciprocity,” he said.
While the US has reaffirmed the availability of Interview Waiver appointments for qualified Nigerians, visa applicants remain anxious about potential delays in processing and accessibility challenges.
