U.S. to Cut Visa Processing Centers in Africa

Jun 2, 2026

The United States is preparing to significantly reduce the number of embassies and consulates across Africa that process visa applications, a move that could create new challenges for international students, tourists, business travelers, and other applicants seeking entry into the country.

According to reports from U.S. officials and an internal State Department memo, the number of diplomatic missions in Africa offering routine visa services is expected to decrease from nearly 50 locations to just 20 designated regional hubs. The changes are reportedly set to take effect in the coming weeks as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration controls and streamline consular operations.

Under the proposed system, applicants from countries that are not selected as visa-processing hubs will likely be required to travel to another country to attend visa interviews and complete application procedures. While U.S. embassies and consulates in non-hub countries will remain open, their services will be largely restricted to assisting American citizens, handling emergency cases, processing diplomatic visas, and addressing a limited number of special-interest requests.

For many African students hoping to study in the United States, the policy could introduce additional financial and logistical hurdles. Applicants may be forced to incur extra expenses for international travel, accommodation, and transportation in order to attend visa appointments. The changes could also lead to longer wait times and delays that may affect university enrollment timelines and travel plans.

The proposed restructuring comes amid a series of immigration-related measures introduced by the Trump administration, which has emphasized stricter visa screening and efforts to reduce visa overstays. U.S. officials have indicated that the changes are intended to improve efficiency, strengthen security procedures, and better allocate consular resources across the continent.

According to the State Department memo, the 20 African cities expected to remain fully operational for visa processing are Accra (Ghana), Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cape Town and Johannesburg (South Africa), Dakar (Senegal), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Djibouti City (Djibouti), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Lagos (Nigeria), Lomé (Togo), Luanda (Angola), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Monrovia (Liberia), Nairobi (Kenya), Port Louis (Mauritius), Praia (Cape Verde), and Yaoundé (Cameroon).

Education consultants and international student advisors across Africa are closely monitoring the developments, as the new arrangement could significantly alter the visa application process for thousands of prospective students each year. Many experts are encouraging applicants to begin their preparations early, stay informed through official embassy announcements, and maintain regular communication with their universities and visa advisors.

Although the policy has not yet been fully implemented, students and travelers are advised to watch for further guidance from the U.S. State Department in the coming weeks. If approved and rolled out as expected, the changes would represent one of the most significant restructurings of U.S. visa services in Africa in recent years, with far-reaching implications for mobility, education, and international exchange across the continent.

Source: Los Angelos Times