Visa candidates in Abuja have been left stranded following the suspension of visa appointments at america Embassy after the evacuation of its workers and their members of the family in Nigeria.
The event got here barely a day after the US authorities ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel and their dependants from its embassy in Abuja, citing rising safety issues throughout the nation.
Though it mentioned emergency consular providers for Americans are nonetheless out there, they famous that it’s strictly by appointment.
In a recent discover issued to candidates, the embassy acknowledged that its Abuja workplace is presently closed for visa appointments, advising affected people to observe their e-mail for additional updates relating to new schedules.
“US Embassy Abuja is closed for visa appointments. Candidates ought to verify their e-mail for particulars on rescheduled appointments. Visa operations at US Consulate Normal Lagos proceed. American citizen providers can be found in emergencies and by appointment,” the embassy acknowledged.
The discover clarified that visa providers on the US Consulate Normal in Lagos stay operational regardless of the short-term disruption in Abuja, whereas emergency consular providers for Americans are nonetheless out there, though strictly by appointment.
The embassy didn’t specify how lengthy the suspension of visa appointments in Abuja would final however reiterated that candidates could be duly knowledgeable as soon as regular operations resume, leaving many candidates unsure about their journey plans.
Chiemelie Ezeobi
Times Nigeria