A new US plan is shrinking its Africa visa-processing network to around 20 regional hubs. Kampala remains a full-service hub even as others consolidate. Here’s what this means for travelers, businesses, and the region—and what questions you’ll likely ask next.
The US is consolidating Africa’s visa processing into about 20 regional hubs to tighten immigration controls and centralize operations. This reduces the number of local offices and speeds up decision-making at regional centers. Regions with already strong regional hubs—such as East Africa (including Kampala and Nairobi) and West Africa (like Lagos and Accra)—are expected to be among the most affected as they shift to centralized processing.
Yes. Kampala is retained as a full-service hub due to Uganda’s high visa demand and its large US diplomatic footprint. A full-service hub means more types of visa processing stay local, reducing the need for travelers to travel far for paperwork. This boosts Kampala’s role in the network and could influence regional travel patterns.
In the long term, travelers may experience more centralized processing timelines, potential bottlenecks at major hubs, and a shift in where they submit applications. For businesses, expect changes in visa turnaround expectations, possible cost adjustments, and the need to align with new hub-guided procedures. Regions with developing infrastructure could see evolving competition among hubs as the network consolidates.
Nairobi is highlighted as a potential dominant hub, given existing regional consolidations and its growing diplomatic footprint. If Nairobi strengthens its role, it could become the primary gateway for East Africa, handling more applications and possibly influencing faster decisions for neighboring countries.
Confirmed hubs include Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, and Accra, among others. This means a push toward a few larger, regionally capable centers. For travelers in countries outside these hubs, expect more steps in the centralization process and potential changes in visa submission locations as functions shift to regional hubs.
The changes are expected to begin in June, with phased implementation across the regional network. Travelers should monitor official announcements for exact timelines, new submission points, and any transitional guidance to avoid delays.
The State Department plans to slash the number of U.S. embassies and consulates in Africa that can process visas for foreigners seeking to come to the United States.