Thousands of Africans seeking US visas could soon face longer journeys, higher costs and additional hurdles under a new plan by Washington to drastically reduce the number of embassies and consulates processing visa applications across the continent.
According to reports citing US officials and an internal State Department memo, the Trump administration plans to cut the number of diplomatic missions in Africa handling routine visa services from nearly 50 to just 20.
The changes are expected to take effect this month as part of a broader push to tighten immigration controls and strengthen security screening.
If implemented, applicants in several African countries will no longer be able to complete routine visa processes at their local US embassies. Instead, they may be required to travel to designated regional hubs for interviews and other application procedures.
The move is expected to increase travel expenses and logistical challenges for thousands of people hoping to visit, study, work or migrate to the United States.
While embassies and consulates that lose visa-processing duties will remain open, their roles will largely shift to providing services for American citizens, handling diplomatic matters and processing a limited number of special cases.
Kenya is set to become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new arrangement.
The US Embassy in Nairobi has been identified as one of the 20 regional visa-processing hubs that will continue handling all categories of visa applications. Other selected hubs are expected to include Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg, Kampala and Kigali.
The decision is likely to increase demand for visa appointments in Nairobi, particularly from applicants travelling from neighbouring countries that may no longer have access to routine visa services.
The proposed changes form part of a wider immigration agenda under President Donald Trump, which has included stricter vetting procedures, travel restrictions and measures aimed at reducing visa overstays.
Although US officials have indicated that the new system could be introduced in June, an official implementation date has not yet been announced. For many African travellers, however, the path to obtaining the visa may soon begin with crossing another border first.
