US to stop routine visa processing at Abuja embassy, 24 other African missions

The United States plans to cease routine visa processing at its embassy in Abuja and 24 other diplomatic missions across Africa by August 1, 2026. This significant shift is part of a broader restructuring of overseas consular operations, aiming to centralize services in regional hubs.

The U.S. Department of State stated the reorganization is intended to enhance national security, reduce government spending, and ensure greater consistency in visa screening and adjudication. The move aligns with the administration's priority of placing American interests and security first, emphasizing rigorous security standards and efficient resource allocation.

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The Department of State is constantly evaluating its overseas operations in order to advance America’s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible. This includes a visa process that maintains rigorous standards of security screening and vetting and aligns resources and operational capacity with America’s national interests.

Beyond Abuja, the affected diplomatic posts include embassies 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.

Officials clarified that this change exclusively impacts routine visa processing and will not affect the operational status of the embassies or the provision of other consular services. All diplomatic missions will continue their regular functions. The department also assured travelers that previously issued visas remain valid. Applicants in affected countries will be directed to designated regional processing hubs for routine services, while embassies will still offer other diplomatic and consular assistance.

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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.