US to drastically slash number of embassies in Africa that can process visas

The US State Department plans to drastically slash the number of US embassies and consulates in Africa that can process visas for foreigners seeking to go to the United States.

The almost 50 US embassies and consulates that are processing visa applications will be reduced to 20 in the coming weeks, according to three US officials and an internal memo obtained by Associated Press.

There is not yet a set date for the change, but it is expected in June, according to the officials, who were not authorised to comment to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on issuing both immigrant and non-immigrant visas as part of its broader aim to limit immigration to the US and clamp down on those who travel on temporary visas but then overstay them. The administration also has scaled back staff at embassies and consulates around the world.

On a conference call last Friday, US diplomats, including consular chiefs, were told the US would be scaling back its visa services across Africa, according to one of the officials who was on the call.

Under a directive approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, the State Department will reduce consular operations in all but 20 “hubs” in Africa, according to the officials and the memo.