America reduces visa services at 30 African embassies
The United States plans to reduce the number of its embassies in Africa.
Written by: Mohammed Omran
The government intends US It is reducing the number of its embassies in Africa that handle visa applications, a move that could force thousands of travelers to seek services in other countries.
US visa services cancelled at 30 African embassies
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. State Department plans to reduce the number of its embassies handling visa applications on the continent from about 50 to just 20 in the coming weeks.
American diplomats and consulate heads were informed of the decision to reduce the number of embassies during a telephone meeting held last Friday.
It is said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved the directive, which is expected to take effect in June 2026, but the exact implementation date has not yet been officially confirmed.
With Nairobi chosen as a regional center for processing visa applications, Kenya is expected to become one of the main centers for handling visa applications from neighboring countries once the changes take effect.
Other selected centers include Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Accra, Ghana; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dakar, Senegal; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Djibouti City; Kampala, Uganda; Kigali, Rwanda; Kinshasa; Lagos, Nigeria; Lomé, Togo; Luanda, Angola; Malabo (Equatorial Guinea); Monrovia (Liberia); Port Louis (Mauritius); Praia (Cape Verde); and Yaoundé (Cameroon).
These changes mean that applicants in countries whose embassies lose the authority to process visa applications may be required to travel to a designated application center, attend interviews, or complete other immigration procedures.
This move is expected to increase travel expenses and other logistical challenges faced by many Africans seeking to enter the United States, particularly those living in countries far from the nearest processing center.
While visa services will be reduced in countries not covered by the centers, the affected embassies and consulates will remain operational, but their functions will be mainly limited to assisting American citizens.
According to an Associated Press report, these missions will continue to provide passport renewal services for American citizens, emergency consular assistance, processing of diplomatic visa applications, and services related to special national interest issues.
These latest changes come amid broader efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to tighten immigration controls and reduce the flow of immigrants to the United States.
These changes follow a series of diplomatic adjustments made by the US government over the past year, including the recall of ambassadors from more than 20 countries. Africa was among the regions most affected by these changes.
