U.S. Ends Routine Visa Services at Juba Embassy

• The US has ended routine visa services at the Juba embassy.
• South Sudanese citizens and residents seeking nonimmigrant visas must now travel to Kampala, Uganda for appointments.
• Applicants will need to pay additional costs for travel and accommodation.
• Regional processing centres have been established in Africa and Europe as part of a broader restructuring effort.
• The change is intended to strengthen security screening and vetting, standardise visa adjudication, and improve consular operations efficiency.

The shift is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at strengthening security screening and vetting, standardising visa adjudication, and improving consular operations efficiency.

The United States has made significant changes to its visa operations in Africa, with far-reaching implications for South Sudanese citizens and residents seeking nonimmigrant visas. As of August 1, 2026, routine visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Juba have come to an end. This shift is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at strengthening security screening and vetting, standardising visa adjudication, and improving consular operations efficiency. The change affects not only South Sudan but also several other African countries, including Eritrea, Nigeria, Mali, The Gambia, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

The U.S. Department of State has been reviewing overseas government operations to prioritise national security and efficiency. As part of this effort, regional visa hubs have been established in various regions, including Africa and Europe. These hubs are designed to align staffing and operational capacity with U.S. policy priorities. The restructuring is intended to improve the overall efficiency of consular operations and enhance security screening and vetting processes.

The shift in visa services will have a direct impact on South Sudanese citizens and residents seeking nonimmigrant U.S. visas. Those applying for tourism, business, or study visas must now schedule appointments and pay the required fees at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda. This change means additional travel and accommodation costs for applicants. Lawyers advising clients on nonimmigrant visa applications should inform them of this new requirement to avoid any potential issues.

Lawyers advising clients seeking nonimmigrant US visas from South Sudan should inform them that they will need to travel to Kampala, Uganda for appointments and pay additional costs for travel and accommodation.

Source: Original reporting via The United States Department of State