The United States Department of State plans to significantly reduce the number of embassies and consulates in Africa handling visa applications, cutting the current network of nearly 50 locations to just 20 regional hubs, according to officials and an internal memo.
The proposed changes, approved by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, are expected to take effect in June, although a specific implementation date has not yet been announced.
According to reports, U.S. diplomats, including consular chiefs across Africa, were informed of the decision during a conference call held on May 29.
Under the new arrangement, full visa processing services will be consolidated into 20 designated hubs located in Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Kampala, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Lomé, Luanda, Malabo, Monrovia, Nairobi, Port Louis, Praia and Yaoundé.
The move forms part of the U.S. administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration controls, reduce visa overstays and streamline visa processing operations.
Officials said embassies and consulates in countries not designated as visa hubs would remain operational but would largely be limited to providing services for American citizens, handling emergency consular requests, diplomatic visas and a limited number of special cases.
Analysts say the policy could have significant implications for visa applicants in non-hub countries, who may now be required to travel across borders to attend interviews and complete visa processing procedures.
The development is expected to increase travel costs and logistical challenges for many applicants seeking entry into the United States for business, education, tourism and other purposes.
The proposed restructuring follows a series of immigration-related measures introduced by the current U.S. administration, including tighter visa requirements and increased scrutiny of visa applicants from several countries.
Observers note that while the consolidation may improve efficiency at designated regional hubs, concerns remain about accessibility and the potential burden on applicants from countries that will no longer offer routine visa processing services.
