The United States Department of State is planning a major overhaul of its visa processing operations in Africa, reducing the number of embassies and consulates handling visa applications from nearly 50 to 20 in the coming weeks.
According to an internal memo and three U.S. officials cited by The Associated Press on Monday, the restructuring is expected to take effect in June, although no specific date has been announced.
Under the plan, visa processing for both immigrant and non-immigrant categories will be centralised in 20 designated “hubs” across the continent.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy aimed at tightening visa issuance and reducing cases of visa overstays.
The news agency said U.S. diplomats, including consular chiefs, were reportedly briefed on the changes during a conference call last Friday.
