Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa regulations affecting travelers from Nigeria and 13 other countries, limiting them to single-entry visas valid for 30 days without the option for extension.
Simultaneously, the United States has suspended its visa dropbox service in Nigeria, requiring all visitor visa applicants to attend in-person interviews for renewals.
The Saudi restrictions apply to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family members, but do not affect applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas. Officials cited concerns over visa misuse, noting that some travelers entered the country on long-term visas but stayed illegally for work or performed Hajj without proper authorization.
The new policy impacts travelers from Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Saudi authorities emphasized that the decision aims to regulate Hajj attendance, as unauthorized pilgrims have contributed to overcrowding. The issue became particularly severe in 2024, when over 1,200 pilgrims died due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Officials believe unregistered pilgrims played a role in the crisis, prompting stricter visa controls.
While officials describe the suspension of multiple-entry visas as temporary, no timeline has been provided for a review. The government plans to assess the impact before making further decisions.
U.S. Visa Dropbox Suspension
The U.S. visa dropbox system, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew visas without in-person interviews, has also been discontinued in Nigeria. This change is expected to cause further delays, as visa interview wait times in the country already exceed a year in some cases.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has not officially announced the policy shift, but sources confirm that the dropbox feature has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system. Applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have found the option is no longer available.
With the dropbox feature eliminated, all applicants must now attend full in-person interviews, further increasing wait times. As of January, dropbox appointments were already unavailable in Lagos, forcing many to seek alternatives in Abuja. The complete removal of the system returns the visa renewal process to its pre-2020 format, worsening existing backlogs.
The changes in both Saudi and U.S. visa policies are expected to have significant implications for Nigerian travelers, particularly businesspeople, students, and those with family abroad.