The US plans to reduce the number of visa-issuing embassies in Africa.

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

The US State Department plans to implement a broad reduction in the number embassies The US consulates authorized to process and issue visas within Africa, in a new step that falls within the tightening of immigration policies adopted by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

According to an internal memo seen by The Associated Press, along with statements from three U.S. officials, the number of U.S. diplomatic missions in Africa that handle visa applications will drop from about 50 embassies and consulates to just about 20 in the coming weeks.

The US State Department has not set a deadline for implementing the decision.

The US State Department has not set a deadline for implementing the decision, but expectations indicate that the changes will begin to be implemented during June.

This measure comes as part of a broader strategy adopted by the US administration to reduce immigration to the United States, by tightening immigration and temporary visa procedures, as well as addressing the phenomenon of some visa holders exceeding their legal stay periods.

The decision also coincides with other steps taken by the US administration to reduce the number of employees working in US embassies and consulates around the world, as part of a comprehensive review of immigration policies and consular services.

The decision is expected to raise concerns about increased waiting times and difficulty for applicants in several African countries to obtain visa interview appointments, as consular services are concentrated in fewer US diplomatic missions on the continent.