Impact of U.S. Visa Processing Reduction in Africa

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to reduce visa-processing services in Africa are set to impact many who hope to secure green cards or reunite with family in the U.S., according to a Newsweek analysis. The U.S. State Department is reportedly preparing to cut back the number of embassies and consulates processing visas across Africa, limiting these services to 20 regional hubs. This information comes from a leaked memo and anonymous officials, as reported by The Associated Press (AP).

A State Department official told Newsweek the department frequently evaluates its overseas operations, including the visa process, to ensure stringent security standards. However, the official did not confirm the specific changes reported. Newsweek followed up with the State Department for comments on the issue.

Newsweek analyzed recent State Department immigrant visa data from July to September 2025 to assess which countries and applicants might be most affected by the changes if visa processing is removed from certain African embassies and consulates.

Countries with the Most Visas at Stake

Egypt could be most affected, with Cairo having processed the highest number of immigrant visas, totaling 1,995 between July and September 2025. Following Cairo, Algiers in Algeria processed 867 visas, Casablanca in Morocco processed 752, Cotonou in Benin processed 365, and Tunis in Tunisia processed 194.

The State Department has not provided specific guidance on replacement posts for African countries likely to lose visa services. Generally, applicants are instructed to apply at designated immigrant visa processing hubs if local services pause or suspend.

For example, the nearest hub for Cairo would be Djibouti, about 1,486 miles away. Algiers and Casablanca would look to Dakar, which is roughly 1,979 miles and 1,443 miles away, respectively. Applicants in Cotonou would apply in Lagos, some 66 miles away, while Tunis applicants would also need to travel to Lagos, approximately 2,136 miles away.

Who Faces the Greatest Challenges?

The Diversity Visa (DV) category, often called the green card lottery, constitutes the majority of affected cases, with 2,165 out of 4,778 total visas issued. This program provides one of the few routes to U.S. residency without needing family ties or employer sponsorship. The Trump administration has worked to tighten program screening and reduce fraud.

The second most affected category involves visas for family members of U.S. citizens. The IR1 visa, issued for spouses, accounted for 674 issuances. Other impacted categories include the IR5 visa for parents (417), the F4 visa for siblings (334), and the IR2 visa for unmarried children under 21 (334).

The Broader Context

Trump’s presidency has focused on restricting immigration, including various travel bans that affect many African and Asian nations. These reported changes in Africa align with prior measures aimed at tightening immigration pathways. Officials cite national security and fraud prevention as reasons for the changes. However, critics argue these measures present new hurdles for legal immigration routes to the U.S.

Methodology

Newsweek identified impacted African embassies by referencing the AP’s list of 20 visa-processing hubs against current State Department data on U.S. diplomatic missions in Africa. The analysis involved reviewing visa issuance data by embassy and visa category for July through September 2025, focusing on locations anticipated to lose routine processing services.