US visa changes: African embassies close as processing shifts to regional hubs

The US is centralizing visa processing in Africa to just 20 hubs, closing ~25 embassies starting August 2026. Travelers must now travel to hubs like Dakar or Nairobi for interviews, facing longer waits and added costs.

Update 5 August 2026: On 1 August, the US State Department officially confirmed the transfer of routine visa services to about 20 regional hubs (Dakar, Lagos, Accra, Abidjan, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kinshasa…), halting routine processing in roughly 25 posts (Bamako, Abuja, Niamey, Ouagadougou, Conakry, N’Djamena, Nouakchott, Harare, Lusaka…). Mali applicants now apply via Dakar.

Since early June 2026, the US administration has enacted a sweeping change in its consular policy across Africa. An official State Department directive reveals that the number of US embassies and consulates authorized to handle visa applications in Africa will shrink from nearly 50 to just 20 “regional hubs.”

This news was first reported by the Associated Press in early June, following a White House Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 27 May 2026 in Washington.

Whether you are a business traveler, student or tourist, this centralization is already reshaping application routes and travel plans. Advance planning is essential to navigate the new landscape.

Key changes for travelers

The new policy, approved and guided by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to consolidate processing of US visas (tourist, student and work) to streamline resources and bolster security controls. Applicants should also consider that visa operations in Africa were already strained, partly due to the US visa bond scheme and travel bans affecting several nationalities, compounded by the recent Ebola outbreak.

Twenty regional hubs take center stage

Consular interviews will no longer be available in every capital. Applicants must now travel to one of 20 designated hubs. Core regional centers include:

West Africa: Dakar (Senegal), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), Lomé (Togo).
East Africa: Nairobi (Kenya) as a key hub, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).
Central & Southern Africa: Kinshasa (DR Congo), Johannesburg and Cape Town (South Africa).

Non-hub embassies scale back services

If you live in a country losing its visa-processing center, don’t worry—the US embassy remains open, but its consular services will be strictly limited to assisting US citizens, emergencies and diplomatic visas.

Logistical hurdles to plan for

Applicants from countries not on the hub list must now submit their US visa applications in one of the following 20 capitals: Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Accra (Ghana), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cape Town, Johannesburg (South Africa), Dakar (Senegal), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Djibouti, Kampala (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Kinshasa (DR Congo), Lagos (Nigeria), Lomé (Togo), Luanda (Angola), Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), Monrovia (Liberia), Nairobi (Kenya), Port Louis (Mauritius), Praia (Cape Verde) and Yaoundé (Cameroon).

Higher costs and added logistics

Securing a consular interview can now require crossing borders, purchasing flights or long-distance bus tickets, paying for overnight stays, and possibly obtaining a transit visa to the host country.

Longer processing times

With applications from roughly 30 countries redirected to just 20 hubs, expect delays. Appointment waits—already lengthy since the pandemic—could stretch over weeks or months, especially at high-demand hubs such as Nairobi or Dakar.

Quick-fire FAQ

Can I apply by mail without traveling for an interview?
Some renewal applications qualify for waivers (same category, expired under 48 months), but eligibility is now determined by the relevant hub.

Does my valid 10-year B1/B2 visa get canceled?
No. The policy affects only the issuance of new visas. If your visa remains valid and in a valid passport, you may continue to travel to the United States without taking any further steps.

Are student visas (F, M, J) included in this shift?
Yes—if you’re set to begin a US university semester this fall, start your hub interview booking process now to secure a slot before August.

I already paid my MRV fee in my home country. Can I transfer it to the new hub?
Normally, US visa application fees (MRV) are non-transferable between posts. However, given this unprecedented restructuring, the Department of State is implementing transitional arrangements.

Do I need an extra visa just to reach my hub interview?
In many cases, yes. If, for example, you reside in Central Africa and your case is routed to South Africa or Kenya, you must comply with that host country’s entry requirements.