The US embassy in Abuja and the consulate in Lagos will move to a new visa services provider starting August 26, 2024.

The embassy also said access to the old visa service provider's website and services would cease on August 16.

In an online statement, it said all current non-immigrant visa interview appointments on or before August 16 will, however, remain valid, adding that applicants can continue using ustraveldocs.com.

The statement further noted that for existing and prospective applicants between August 16 and August 26, 2024, people would not be able to make a new visa appointment, cancel or reschedule an existing one, or access customer service.

The statement added: "This means you will not be able to cancel or reschedule your appointment from August 16, 2024, and will have no access to customer service.

“You should print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16, 2024, and we strongly encourage you to attend your visa interview if possible.

“If your interview is scheduled for August 26, 2024, or later: No further action is required, but you will no longer have access to your ustraveldocs.com account after August 16, 2024.

“This means you will not be able to cancel or reschedule your appointment after August 16, 2024, and will not have access to customer service.

“Beginning August 26, 2024, check here for a link to the new visa services website and updated information on creating a new user account.

“You must create this new account to review your account information, make changes, submit requests, or contact customer service.

“Print your appointment confirmation letter before August 16, 2024, in case you experience technical issues creating your new account.”

The embassy cautioned that persons who have paid the visa application fee but have not scheduled an interview should schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible.

The embassy said: “If you have paid the visa application fee but have not scheduled an interview, we strongly encourage you to schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible and read the information provided above based on your interview date.”

“If you have not paid the visa application fee and are planning to travel to the United States in August 2024: We strongly encourage you to pay the visa application fee and schedule your visa appointment as soon as possible, and read the information provided above based on your interview date.

“If you have not paid the MRV fee and are planning to travel to the United States after August 26, 2024, you may wish to wait until then to begin the nonimmigrant visa process.”