A technical issue in the United States Department of State’s system caused disruptions for Nigerians applying for US visas. The glitch resulted in difficulties for visa applicants, particularly those who had scheduled interviews at the US Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate in Lagos.
Jennifer Johnson, Press Officer for the Office of Public and Congressional Affairs at the Bureau of Consular Affairs, confirmed the issue in response to an inquiry. She noted that the problem was due to a partial systems outage, which affected consular operations.
Many applicants had complained about being unable to proceed with their visa interviews, causing frustration and delays. However, Johnson reassured affected individuals that the issue had been resolved and that normal operations had resumed.
“The U.S. Department of State experienced a partial systems outage which has since been restored,” Johnson stated.
She further explained that visa applicants who missed their interviews due to the glitch would be given new appointment dates.
“Visa applicants, whose interviews must be rescheduled due to the outage, will be notified,” she added.
This is not the first time Nigerian applicants have faced difficulties with the US visa process. Last year, the US Mission in Nigeria introduced a new visa appointment system aimed at improving accessibility and transparency for applicants. However, the transition brought its own challenges, leading to delays and technical issues.
