ABC, OIS partner to fast-track Nigerian business visas for US executives

The American Business Council (ABC) has entered into partnership with OIS Services to introduce a premium, compliant visa facilitation pathway designed to accelerate processing for qualified business travellers.

The initiative was announced at a CEO high-level roundtable focused on streamlining business travel between the United States and Nigeria. Discussions addressed persistent visa delays that hinder executive mobility and disrupt the timely execution of trade and investment activities, followed by direct stakeholder engagement on operational concerns and implementation timelines.

Speaking at the event, Margaret Olele, chief executive officer of the American Business Council, said the partnership followed years of engagement around visa processes and business mobility. She noted that despite improvements by the Nigerian Immigration Service, gaps remained in the system.

“We must commend the Nigerian Immigration Service for its e-visa platform; significant improvements have been made over the years,” she said. “But we realised that we can even do better.”

According to her, the platform will function as “a one-stop-shop” to support applicants through the process, reducing wait times and removing the need for some applicants to visit embassies in person, particularly those applying for business visas exceeding three months.

“For business visas or anything more than three months, you have to go to the embassy. Well, with this kind of platform, you don’t need to do that,” she added.

A senior representative from OIS Services said the partnership creates a dedicated fast-track channel for ABC members.

“Applicants for business visas to Nigeria, especially those coming in for partnerships, business expansion, or investment, we’re creating a fast-track process for them,” he said.

Under the arrangement, applicants can submit their documents at OIS offices in Atlanta, New York and Washington. “The application is fast track. It’s going to be processed within 48 hours so that they can get their visa,” he said.

He confirmed that the service will offer multiple-entry visas, alongside mobile biometric enrolment and application support. “We have a support team on the ground to help you so that it will be seamless for your travel needs,” he said.

Regarding concerns about delays, he stated that applications submitted through the ABC channel would be directed directly to decision-makers. “Applications going through that route go directly,” he said, adding that the system identifies them as ABC fast-track submissions.

The fast-track service is currently exclusive to ABC members, while non-members will continue to apply through existing visa channels.

The roundtable hosted senior representatives from U.S. companies, including Uber, The Coca-Cola Company, VisionSpring, TREXM Holdings, Tolaram, ExxonMobil, United Airlines, Mastercard, J.P. Morgan, American Business Council Nigeria, KPMG, EY, Flutterwave, Outcess, American Express and Chevron. A representative from the Office of the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, and Ekene Nnamani, managing director, Enugu Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, were also in attendance.

Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers.

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