US cuts African visa processing sites from 50 to 20

The United States will soon reduce the number of its diplomatic missions in Africa that process visa applications from nearly 50 to 20, according to an internal State Department memo and officials familiar with the plan. The restructuring, expected to take effect in June, will centralize visa operations into designated regional hubs across the continent.

The change was approved under a directive from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. U.S. diplomats and consular chiefs were informed of the plan during a conference call last Friday. Officials said the move is part of the administration's broader efforts to tighten immigration controls, limit visa issuance, and address concerns over visa overstays.

Under the new system, full consular visa operations for both immigrant and nonimmigrant categories will be maintained only at the 20 designated locations. Citizens from countries without a hub will be required to travel to another nation to submit applications and attend interviews, a shift expected to increase travel costs and create logistical challenges for applicants.

Consular sections in non-hub countries will remain open but with limited services. They will continue to assist American...