U.S. State Department to Cut African Visa Offices to 20, Aiming to Save Costs

The U.S. State Department announced it will reduce the number of American embassies and consulates processing visas in Africa from roughly 50 posts to 20. The consolidation is presented as a cost‑saving measure that will eliminate redundant staffing and take advantage of economies of scale, while also seeking to curb illegal immigration by slowing visa overstay.

The move follows a January 2026 suspension of immigrant‑visa processing for 26 African countries and highlights historically high non‑immigrant visa refusal rates for nations such as Liberia, Somalia, Burundi, Benin and Chad. Officials note that many of the remaining posts will continue to serve U.S. citizens and handle special‑interest visa cases. The extensive embassy network, originally built during the Cold War to counter Soviet influence, has been defended as a tool against China’s Belt and Road Initiative, though critics argue the posts largely issue refusals.

Around 20 visa offices will stay open, providing the primary channel for African applicants to apply for U.S. visas, while the closed locations will still assist American travelers and diplomatic matters.