Thousands of Africans applying for US visas are expected to face higher travel costs and longer processing times after the United States moves to consolidate its visa services across the continent.
Under the new arrangement, nearly 50 US diplomatic missions currently involved in visa processing in Africa will be reduced to 20 designated hubs in the coming weeks. The restructuring is part of wider immigration measures linked to the administration of President Donald Trump, aimed at tightening visa controls and improving oversight of applications.
Applicants in countries without a designated processing centre may now be required to travel to another African nation to submit documents or attend interviews, adding extra financial and logistical pressure.
Despite the reduction in visa-processing locations, US embassies and consulates in affected countries will continue to operate for American citizens. These services include passport renewals, emergency assistance, and other consular support.
Diplomatic visa cases and applications considered to be in the United States’ national interest will also continue to be processed.
The 20 hubs expected to retain full visa-processing responsibilities include Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Johannesburg, Kampala, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lomé, Luanda, Malabo, Monrovia, Nairobi, Port Louis, Praia and Yaoundé.
Analysts say the change could make access to US visas more difficult for many Africans, particularly those in countries without nearby processing centres, with possible increases in waiting times and travel expenses.
