US to drastically slash number of embassies in Africa that can process visas

Matthew Lee and Sam Mednick

The State Department plans to drastically slash the number of US embassies and consulates in Africa that can process visas for foreigners seeking to come to the United States.

The number of US embassies and consulates processing visa applications will be reduced from almost 50 to 20 in the coming weeks, according to three US officials and an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.

There is not yet a set date for the change, but it is expected in June, according to the officials, who were not authorised to comment to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on issuing both immigrant and non-immigrant visas as part of its broader aim to limit immigration to the US and clamp down on those who travel on temporary visas but then overstay them. The administration has also scaled back