Us visa policy change affects gabonese travelers by 2026

The Trump administration announced a major shift in visa issuance policies, set to take effect by June 2026. Starting then, the United States will halt visa services from several African nations, including Gabon.

Previously, around fifty African countries processed US visa applications. Under the new rules, this number will be significantly reduced. The move targets combating illegal immigration, though it will force travelers to navigate new logistical hurdles.

Gabonese citizens and residents will no longer apply for US visas at home. Instead, they must travel to neighboring countries like Cameroon (Yaoundé), Togo (Lomé), or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa). This change introduces extra travel costs and extended wait times for applicants.

While the policy aims to streamline immigration controls, critics argue it places an undue burden on applicants, particularly those in remote regions of Gabon.