Niger : US Suspends Ordinary Visa Processing

The United States government has announced the suspension of all visa processing at its embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey, until further notice. A State Department spokesperson on July 25, 2025, confirmed the pause covers all immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, citing “concerns with the Government of Niger”. Diplomatic and official visas will still be processed, but an internal cable instructs U.S. consular officers worldwide to apply heightened scrutiny to all visa applicants from Niger.
 The cable points to high overstay rates, 8 per cent for visitor visas and a staggering 27 per cent for student and exchange visas, as justification for the tougher stance. Reuters report that henceforth, consular managers would make an effort to reduce the number of overstays by nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States, the cable said and added: “In this regard, particular vigilance is needed in adjudicating Nigerien NIV applicants.”
The decision to freeze the visas comes amid rising tensions between the two countries. In September last year, the U.S. military completed its withdrawal from Niger after the ruling military government ordered for the departure of nearly 1,000 American troops. The US has since seen this as a blow as the military base served as a key counterterrorism platform i...