The United States Embassy in Sierra Leone is expected to halt visa processing services as part of a sweeping restructuring plan by the U.S. State Department that could see nearly 30 embassies and consulates across Africa scaled back or closed for visa operations.
The move is reportedly part of a broader immigration policy shift under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at tightening pathways for immigrants seeking entry into the United States. The policy follows a series of travel restrictions and immigration measures affecting several African and Asian nations.
According to a State Department memo approved by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visa services across Africa would be consolidated into 20 designated regional hubs responsible for processing applications on the continent.
The countries selected as visa processing hubs include Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Togo, Senegal, Tanzania, Djibouti, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Kenya, Mauritius, and Cameroon.
Under the proposed arrangement, applicants from countries without active visa processing centers including Sierra Leone would be required to travel to neighboring hub countries to complete visa interviews and processing.
While visa services may be suspended, embassies in affected countries are expected to continue providing emergency assistance to American citizens, along with diplomatic and limited consular services.
Although no official implementation date has been announced, U.S. officials indicated that the changes could take effect later this month.
The development is expected to create significant travel and financial burdens for visa applicants in Sierra Leone and other affected countries, many of whom may now have to incur additional costs to seek visa appointments abroad.