The United States (US) is preparing to significantly reduce its visa processing operations in Africa, consolidating services from around 50 embassies and consulates into just 20 regional centres as part of efforts to tighten immigration controls and strengthen vetting procedures.

The move could force many African travellers to visit neighbouring countries just to apply for a visa, drastically increasing travel costs and processing delays for businesspeople, students, and tourists across the continent.

Speaking on the development, Marcus Vinicius de Freitas, a Professor at the University of International Relations in China said the decision reflects Washington’s growing focus on migration management and national security, but warned that it could have wider diplomatic, economic, and educational consequences for African countries.

He said the changes could make access to US visas substantially more difficult for many Africans, potentially damaging people-to-people exchanges, halting academic opportunities, and straining vital business links between the US and the continent.

–ChannelAfrica–