Post by Minister of Enjoyment (@Yelsgnik)

U.S. to stop visa processing at Abuja embassy, 24 other African missions
Source:- https://guardian.ng/news/u-s-to-stop-visa-processing-at-abuja-embassy-24-other-african-missions/

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 broader restructuring of its overseas consular operations.

The U.S. Department of State said the move was aimed at centralising routine visa services in regional hubs to enhance national security, reduce government spending, and ensure greater consistency in visa screening, vetting and adjudication.

In a statement on the U.S. Department of State website yesterday, the department said the reorganisation aligned with the priority of President Donald Trump’s administration to place America’s interests and security first.
Besides Abuja, the affected diplomatic posts 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, however, clarified that the change affected only routine visa processing and does not alter the operational status of the embassies and consulates involved.

It also emphasised that all diplomatic missions would continue to provide consular services and carry out their regular functions on behalf of the United States.
The department further assured travellers that the policy did not invalidate visas already issued.
Meanwhile, VFS Global has opened a new joint Visa Application Centre in Lekki, Lagos, enabling it to process visa services for 15 countries from a centralised location.

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