US to Stop Routine Visa Processing at Abuja Embassy, 24 Other African Missions

The United States has announced that routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja and 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa will end from August 1, 2026, as part of a major restructuring of its overseas consular operations.

The US Department of State said routine visa services would be centralised in designated regional hubs to strengthen national security, reduce operational costs and ensure greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.

In a statement published on its website, the department said the policy aligns with President Donald Trump’s administration’s priority of placing America’s interests and security first.

According to the department, it continually reviews its overseas operations to improve efficiency while maintaining rigorous security standards for visa applicants.

“The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans, and the State Department will continue to provide Americans with appropriate consular services and assistance at diplomatic posts around the world,” the statement said.

Apart from Abuja, the affected diplomatic missions are located in Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou and Windhoek.

The State Department clarified that only routine visa processing would be affected, stressing that the embassies and consulates would remain fully operational.

It added that all affected diplomatic missions would continue providing consular assistance and carrying out their normal diplomatic responsibilities.

The department also assured travellers that visas already issued remain valid and would not be affected by the new arrangement.

Under the revised system, applicants in countries where routine visa processing has been suspended will be required to access those services through designated regional processing centres.

The United States said the restructuring forms part of its periodic review of global diplomatic operations aimed at reallocating resources and improving the delivery of consular services worldwide.