FREETOWN — In the near future, Sierra Leoneans seeking US visas may be forced to travel to neighboring countries such as Liberia, Ghana, or Togo after Sierra Leone was removed from Washington’s list of African nations that will continue processing visa applications.
The development follows an Associated Press report published June 1, 2026, citing three US officials and an internal memo, which confirmed that the United States will slash the number of African embassies and consulates handling visa applications from 50 to just 20.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown since returning to power in January 2025, which has already included mass deportations of undocumented migrants to several third countries.
According to a list accompanying the report, only 19 cities across 17 African countries will retain visa-processing services. Sierra Leone — whose capital, Freetown, hosts a US embassy — is notably absent.
The US Embassy in Freetown has since confirmed this development, acknowledging that Sierra Leone has been removed from the list of countries where visas will continue to be processed.
For Sierra Leoneans, the nearest remaining processing hubs will be Monrovia (Liberia), Accra (Ghana), and Lome (Togo) — all of which are still on the list. Other options include Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Lagos (Nigeria).
The closures are expected to significantly increase travel costs, waiting times, and logistical burdens for Sierra Leonean students, business travelers, medical patients, and families hoping to visit relatives in the United States.
As of now, the US Embassy in Freetown has not released detailed guidance on how applicants should transition to using other regional posts, but officials have confirmed the change is imminent.
