U.S. Plans to Cut Visa Processing Embassies in Africa From Nearly 50 to 20

Nearly 50 U.S. Embassies and consulates in Africa currently accept applications for foreign visas.

The United States is reducing these numbers to just 20, as per an internal State Department memo obtained by the Associated Press and verified by Reuters on June 1, 2026.

Effective in the coming weeks, all visa processing will now only take place in the continent’s 20 designated visa hubs.

The memo was signed last week by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a part of an ongoing immigration and overstay crack-down.

The following 20 consulates will handle full visa processing, referred to as visa hubs: 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; and Yaounde, Cameroon.

Also Read: Why I Agreed to Establish US Ebola Facility in Kenya – Ruto Explains

Impact of New Visa Processing Measures on Non-Hub Citizens in Africa

All non-hub country consulates will remain open and process passport renewals and emergency U.S. Citizen applications, diplomatic visa requests, and special national interest cases.

“All consular services that require a consular staff will only be processed at these 20 designated visa hubs.” The board stated.

Authorities stated that visa processing throughout Africa already has restrictions because of the ongoing travel ban, the $ 15,000 bond requirement for several applicants, and the disruptions occurring due to the Ebola outbreak.

With new measures in place, all non-hub citizens must now travel to one of these 20 cities, incurring additional travel expenses and logistical hurdles.

Also Read: Trump Breaks Silence After Kenyan Court Halts Ebola Facility Plan

US Government’s Reorganization of Visa Services in Africa

Authorities stated the crackdown on issuing visas throughout the continent is a part of the larger immigration plan put in place by President Trump.

The US previously scaled back staff throughout its consular offices globally.

U.S. Diplomats were informed last Friday during a conference call about a reduction in visa services throughout Africa.

The State Department has not specified an official implementation date but has said that it should begin in June 2026.

“The reason for this reorganization is to allow for greater efficiency and security.” Stated the department officials.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

President William Ruto shaking hands with US President Donald Trump. PHOTO/PCS