U.S. Visa Update: Changes to Embassy Processing in Africa

The U.S. State Department plans to shut down nearly 30 embassies and consulates in Africa that handle visa processing, as revealed in a memo obtained by the Associated Press (AP). This decision aligns with the Trump administration’s efforts to limit immigration routes to the United States, including imposing travel bans on several African and Asian nations.

According to AP, diplomats were informed on Friday that visa services would be consolidated into 20 ‘hubs’ across Africa. A State Department official refrained from confirming the move to Newsweek. However, they emphasized that the department continuously reviews overseas operations, ensuring a visa process that adheres to stringent security measures.

Visa Processing Continues at 20 Hubs

The memo lists the 20 hubs that will continue to process visas on the continent:

• Abidjan, Ivory Coast
• Accra, Ghana
• Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Dakar, Senegal
• Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania
• Djibouti, Djibouti
• Johannesburg, South Africa
• Kampala, Uganda
• Kigali, Rwanda
• Kinshasa, Congo
• Lagos, Nigeria
• Lome, Togo
• Luanda, Angola
• Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
• Monrovia, Liberia
• Nairobi, Kenya
• Port Louis, Mauritius
• Praia, Cape Verde
• Yaounde, Cameroon

Newsweek analyzed the U.S. diplomatic footprint in Africa, identifying the locations set to lose consular visa services. A map illustrates the nearest hub site for nations affected by this change.

Although a specific date has not been set, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the change and it is expected to occur within the month. Applicants from countries without visa processing facilities must travel to a nearby hub for services. These locations will still handle emergency assistance for American citizens and diplomatic visa services.

This report includes information from the AP.