The United States government is set to drastically reduce the number of embassies and consulates across Africa authorised to handle travel documents. This policy shift will introduce stricter African visa restrictions and affect thousands of travellers across the continent. According to a report by The Associated Press (AP) on Monday, the US State Department plans to cut the number of diplomatic missions handling US visa processing from nearly 50 to just 20 in the coming weeks.
The report, citing three US officials and an internal State Department memo, said the changes are expected to take effect in June, although no specific implementation date has been announced.
Trump Immigration Crackdown Targets Overstays
The development forms part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement agenda. This policy aims to tighten access to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas and reduce cases of visa overstays. Under a directive reportedly approved last week by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, consular operations in Africa will change significantly. This latest Trump immigration crackdown will centralise resources and alter how diplomatic offices handle local applications.
Under the new plan, the US will consolidate services into 20 designated US visa regional hubs, while visa services in other diplomatic missions will be scaled back. One of the officials quoted in the report said US diplomats, including consular chiefs, were informed of the decision during a conference call held on Friday. The reduction will leave the remaining offices to manage the entire application volume for the continent.
US Visa Processing: New Regional Hubs to Increase Travel Burdens
The move comes amid a series of recent measures introduced by the Trump administration to restrict immigration. These include travel bans affecting certain countries, stricter scrutiny of visa applicants, and a requirement for some applicants to post visa bonds of up to $15,000.
Visa processing operations in parts of Africa have also faced disruptions due to restrictions linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. These health measures, alongside the new consulate closures, mean applicants face longer waiting times and higher costs.
The State Department has yet to publicly announce the list of embassies and consulates that will retain full visa-processing authority under the new arrangement. Business leaders and academic institutions that rely on travel to the United States have expressed concern over the lack of public details.
Analysts say the reduction in processing centres could increase travel burdens for applicants across Africa, forcing many to travel longer distances to attend visa interviews and complete application procedures. Applicants living outside major capital cities will now need to travel to neighbouring countries just to complete their interviews.
