The United States State Department is set to significantly reduce the number of embassies and consulates in Africa that handle visa applications for foreign nationals.
According to reports, the current network of nearly 50 visa-processing missions across the continent will be cut down to just 20 locations in the coming weeks. The decision was revealed in an internal memo and confirmed by multiple U.S. officials.
Under the new arrangement, only selected “hub” cities will continue full visa processing services. These include major diplomatic centers such as Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cape Town and Johannesburg (South Africa), Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya), and several others across Africa.
For countries without designated hubs, applicants will be required to travel to these approved locations to complete visa processing, potentially increasing both cost and travel burden.
The planned changes are expected to take effect in June, although no exact implementation date has been confirmed. Officials say the move is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to tighten immigration control, improve visa screening, and reduce overstays on temporary visas.
Consular offices in non-hub countries will still operate but with limited services, mainly assisting American citizens and handling emergency or special cases.
U.S. authorities stated that the restructuring is aimed at improving efficiency and aligning overseas operations with national security and immigration priorities.
