Thousands of Africans seeking visas to the United States could soon face longer journeys and higher costs under a planned restructuring of American consular services across the continent.
According to reports first published by the Associated Press, the US State Department intends to significantly reduce the number of African embassies handling visa applications, concentrating those services in a smaller network of regional hubs.
If implemented, the changes would reduce visa-processing locations from nearly 50 missions to about 20, reshaping how travellers, students, businesspeople and families access US immigration services.
The proposal was reportedly communicated to American diplomats and consular officials during a conference call last week. The plan has been approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, although Washington has not publicly announced a final implementation date.
Nairobi Emerges as Regional Hub
Among the cities expected to play a larger role under the new arrangement is Nairobi, which has been designated as one of the continent’s key visa-processing centres.
The Kenyan capital would join a network of regional hubs that includes Accra, Addis Ababa, Dakar, Kampala, Kigali, Lagos, Johannesburg and several other major African cities.
Under the proposed system, applicants in countries that lose visa-processing functions may be required to travel to another country to submit documents, attend interviews or complete immigration procedures.
For some travellers, that could mean crossing borders before they even begin their journey to the United States.
Higher Costs for Applicants
The changes are likely to present practical challenges for many applicants.
Travelling to another country for a visa interview often involves additional expenses, including transport, accommodation and entry permits. For students, entrepreneurs and families already facing the costs associated with international travel, the new requirements could add another layer of financial pressure.
Immigration experts have long noted that access to consular services plays a significant role in determining how easily applicants can navigate the visa process.
While the US government has not publicly outlined the reasons behind each embassy’s selection, supporters of centralised processing often argue that concentrating resources can improve efficiency and staffing levels at larger missions.
Embassies Will Remain Open
The restructuring does not mean the closure of US embassies across Africa.
According to the Associated Press report, embassies that lose visa-processing duties will continue operating and providing a range of consular and diplomatic services.
These include assistance to American citizens abroad, passport renewals, emergency support, diplomatic visa services and matters deemed to be of special national interest.
In practice, many embassies will remain fully functional diplomatic missions, albeit with a narrower role in immigration processing.
Part of a Broader Policy Shift
The proposed changes come as President Donald Trump continues to pursue a tougher approach to immigration and border control during his second term in office.
The administration has introduced a series of measures aimed at tightening immigration procedures and reshaping the US diplomatic footprint abroad.
The embassy restructuring follows other recent diplomatic adjustments, including the reassignment and recall of ambassadors from multiple countries, with Africa among the regions most affected.
For now, many details remain unclear, including which embassies will lose visa-processing responsibilities and how quickly the transition will take place.
What is clear is that for many Africans hoping to visit, study, work or do business in the United States, the path to securing a visa could soon become longer and, in many cases, more expensive.
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