The United States has placed a temporary suspension on visa services at its embassies in three African countries.
The affected embassies are located in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda.
The suspension came into effect on May 18, 2026, and applies to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories. This includes applications for tourism, business travel, study programs, and exchange visits.
Reason behind the US visa processing suspension
The U.S. Department of State explained that the decision was linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. According to officials, the pause is intended to ensure that all visa-related procedures continue to meet strict public health and safety standards for the United States.
Individuals whose applications are impacted have already been informed, and no new interview appointments are currently being scheduled at the affected embassies until further notice.
A notice published on the State Department’s website clarified that previously issued valid visas remain unaffected despite the suspension. Applicants who already had scheduled appointments will be assigned new dates once normal operations resume.
Embassy websites will be updated when the resumption of appointment scheduling begins. The Department also noted that fees paid for nonimmigrant visa applications remain valid for 365 days from the date of payment.
Applicants are required to book their interview within that validity period, though the interview itself may take place after the 365-day window, provided the scheduling was completed in time.
The State Department further confirmed that no refunds will be issued for appointments disrupted by the temporary pause. Instead, affected appointments will be automatically rescheduled once visa services restart.
