Us visa policy change forces gabonese travelers to neighboring countries

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping shift in U.S. visa issuance rules, slashing the number of African nations authorized to process American entry visas starting June 2026.

Under the new policy, applicants from Gabon will no longer be able to apply locally. Instead, they must travel to neighboring countries like Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Togo to submit their visa applications. Previously, over fifty African nations handled U.S. visa processing—this number will now be reduced to just a handful.

The decision stems from Washington’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration pathways. For residents of Gabon, this means added travel expenses, including flights and extended stays abroad, to complete the visa process.

Carl Nsitou