OIS Visa Services, SUITE 557 - Los Angeles, California

Stephanie

I had a great experience obtaining my Nigerian visa, thanks to a referral to a travel agent who helped me schedule my appointment through OIS Services in LA. I flew in for my 3 PM appointment but arrived early at 10 AM due to issues paying my $160 visa fee on the Nigerian portal. Syd was there alone to assist without hesitation, despite managing multiple clients who all seemed satisfied with their service.
I had all my documents ready but needed an extra express envelope, which I quickly grabbed from a post office just 4 minutes away. Once I returned, the entire process—final document review, payment, fingerprints, and photo—was smooth and took only 15 minutes. Syd even provided his number for updates, and despite his busy schedule, he did his best to respond.
I know we all want things done quickly, but it’s important to be considerate of those working behind the scenes to process these documents. Patience is a virtue, and that’s something I’m learning to embrace. Visa processing can take time, but Syd’s efficiency and professionalism made it stress-free. I received my visa within a few weeks, and I truly appreciate the great service.

Sylvia R.

I want to write a review and thank Sydney for all of his help today, he really went above and beyond for me today. I have nothing bad to say about him, he was very professional and organized, and very considerate towards me in the situation I was in. By no means do I feel he does not care if you get your VISA or not, he was very patient in a situation where I could have been turned away, even though I was stressed and my husband was not helping the situation, he was calm and came up with a solution that would help me get my application mailed, as well not miss my flight home. He deserves more than 5 stars. Thank you so much for your kindness.

Janell R.

I am very lucky my review is nothing like what I have read.

I flew into LA for a 1 day turn around trip for my Visa interview at the OIS LA Office. I took my Uber to the building, was very grateful to see a waiting area in the lobby (your not allowed to wait in the OIS Office). I went up to the OIS Office just to make sure I knew where it was etc. I found it and knocked on the door. Sydney answered and I told him I was his 12 pm appt and just making sure I was where I needed to be. It was 10 something. He told me to come back at 11 instead of 12. I went upstairs at 10:45 and Sydney let me in and took me right back. I had all my documents ready for him and took them and sorted them how he needed them, stapling etc. I then did my biometrics. I sat back down at his desk and learned I have gotten the Visa and it would be here 12/1/24. I dont leave till 1/2025 so that was perfect. I was in the interview about 6 minutes. Once done I had hours before my flight and they have a Kitchen in the lobby, so I ate before i took my Uber back to the airport.

My Visa arrived 11/23/2024. A great experience overall.

Lana T.

We arrived for our appointment only to see a “closed” sign on the door. We flew in just for this appointment, 4 of us. So you can imagine the time, $, PTO and missed school that has happened. I understand things happen but I don’t understand why there is 1. Only one person who can come into the office to see that appointments are kept and 2. NOOO communication whatsoever about the office being closed despite having an appointment. No email, no working phone line. The phone number is useless. It asks you to select your choices then it hangs up on you. Those who are looking for visa services, DO NOT BOTHER. Take your energy and resources to other locations. This one is useless.

Gene O.

Do not, I repeat do not use this place or agency for no reason. My family of 5 submitted out passports for processing for a Nigerian Visa on June 11th, 2024. We paid all the fees including fees for the passport to be sent to Washington dc and back. We were given September 8th as the date to come and collect the passports with the visas. I made sure I tracked through their system and saw that the visas had actually been stamped on the passports on August 5th according to what I saw online. Unfortunately, our documents stuck at this stage for so long, so I began calling OIS. I made no less that 50 phone calls and sent over 15 emails. Not 1 email or 1 phone call was answered or responded to. After I complained to a friend, he shared a number that belonged to Sydney, the agent at OIS. I texted the number through Whatsapp and after a couple of days , Sydney responded. We were now in October. My family and I were supposed to travel for Fall Break to Nigeria, I was desperate at this time. Sydney said he would check their system. HE RESPONDED 1 DAY LATER THAT THEY COULD ONLY FIND 2 OUT OF THE 5 PASSPORTS SUBMITTED. According to him, I should try and contact the embassy myself. He connected me with another agent in their Maryland Office called Rae. This one told me that unfortunately that the Embassy lost 3 of my family's passports. I was in shock.
I cried, I yelled and I begged. They told me that they could not do anything. That if I knew anyone at the embassy, maybe someone could help me.
I was able to contact a family friend, who went to Rockville, Maryland or wherever OIS has there Washington office. The person can back and reported that it was a disorganized, unprofessional and almost cartel like place. There was not system to keep track of sensitive documents such as US Passports. They had peoples sensitive information just dumped together.
I called the OIS agent, Rae and asked him what they were going to do about the passports. He told me without mincing words, "your family's passports are lost, we do not have them".

I heard from a reliable source, that they use this place to sell and exchange peoples passports in the black market. They do it more when they see a family group. They feel like they can take 2 or 3 passports out of a family of 6 or 5. When I said that I could sue them, they said that I have to sue the embassy. according to Rae they do not bear any responsibility or are they liable for any stolen, or lost passports.
This is a microcosm of the depth of corruption and illegalities happening in Nigeria and Nigerian run institutions all over the world.

They would not even promise to refund the cost of express mail, which I paid to and fro for the now stolen passports. BEWARE , DO NOT USE Them.

Best option would be to make arrangements for VISA ON ARRIVAL . DO NOT. IF I can rate this agency and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC a negative I would do so in a heart beat. They have frustrated and ruined our lives in ways that can never be imagined. I will rain curses on them and their generations unborn till the 20th generation.

We lost over $15,000 in airline tickets.

Marie B.

Fine, but the computer system was down the day I had my appointment. And since I traveled to Los Angeles just for that appointment and was scheduled to leave the next day, there wasn't much that I could do. He did help me by telling me where I could get passport photos (next door at the fedex inside the Marriott) and cash to buy envelopes. I didn't get any email from him, so I assume it's all for naught. Also, the place was on the 5th floor when I was there.

Edit: it is now a week past the date when they said I would receive my passport back, but I haven't. I don't travel for another 2 months, but I hope it arrives soon.

Edit 2: it is now January, 3 months late, and still no visa or passport. It is frankly ridiculous. I had to cancel my trip, and other trips, since I have no passport. Good luck to you, future visa applicant.

Francis O.

My visa arrive earlier than promised date. Completed Application 30 Dec 2024, visa arrived 1st week of Febraury. Not bad

Jennifer ?. P.

This appeared to be a clean process but my trip is October 4th I already changed it once Sydney told me by the 26th I would have my visa and passport it is now the 13th and there is no updates no one answers just like everyone says. I emailed ten people at the Nigerian embassy they told me that it is processing and to come back on the 26th and email them that is the embassy complaints. Seriously with what everyone is saying here this place needs to be reported and shut down. So many travel plans and some not even able to bury a family member. It’s just sad. I’m sending a screen shot of these reviews to the embassy as well as the United States government home security me where ever I can send it to. It’s a shame Nigeria is losing possible tourism and welcoming people to come spend money in ther economy because these travel agencies don’t know how to do thier job. I’ll prob have to change my plans again . You guys should be ashamed of yourself .