Beginning in 2026, a new U.S. travel visa program will impose more stringent documentation requirements, longer processing delays, and higher application fees on citizens of Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, and several other African nations.
The U.S. administration launched the updated program in response to growing security concerns and increased demand for visas throughout Africa.
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Thousands of travelers looking to enter the US for school, employment, travel, and exchange programs may be impacted, according to Travel & Tour World.
“South Africans presently benefit from the Visa Waiver Program, which permits them to travel to the United States for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa.
“For longer stays, they rely on visas such as the B1/B2 tourist visa, the H-1B work visa, student visas in the F and M categories, and J exchange visitor visas.
“These visas come with durations ranging from a few months to several years depending on the program,” it added.
According to the study, waiting times usually vary from two to six weeks, and the majority of applications are processed in Pretoria, with others being handled at the embassy in Cape Town.
South Africans will profit from visa-free entry for brief stays, but once the new program is in place, they will also have to pay more and go through more stringent requirements for longer-stay visas.
Citizens of Kenya and Nigeria, who are not eligible for the same waivers, must first complete extensive application procedures before they can travel.
Nigeria continues to be one of Africa’s top destinations for U.S. visa applications, which leads to lengthy wait times—typically ranging from three to twelve weeks—at the embassy in Abuja and the consulate in Lagos.
Candidates must provide evidence of their familial, property, or other connections to Nigeria, including employment, to demonstrate their intent to return.
According to the report, Kenyan nationals must demonstrate their financial stability and ties to their homeland, and they may wait anywhere from three to eight weeks in Nairobi.
Once the new structure is put into place, it is anticipated that both countries will see even longer wait times and greater expenditures.
The new policy will also have an impact on other African countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, and Senegal.
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“Although they are not included in the Visa Waiver Program, their inhabitants currently rely on the same variety of U.S. visas, including those for tourists, students, workers, and exchanges.
According to the report, “applicants must provide extensive documentation proving they intend to return home after their stay.”
The modifications would raise waiting times and the administrative and financial strain on applicants, as processing delays currently range from two to eight weeks in some countries.
Additionally, it noted that the cost of U.S. visas now varies by category, with the B1/B2 tourist visa costing $160 and having a six-month validity period with a six-month extension option.
The same fee applies to student visas, which are valid for the duration of the academic program.
Depending on the kind of petition, the cost of an H-1B work visa for skilled professionals ranges from $190 to $460. The visa is valid for three years, with the potential of an extension.
Depending on the program, the J exchange visitor visa, which costs $160, might be valid for one to five years.
“Depending on their country of origin, certain applicants must pay additional issuance fees ranging from $50 to $200,” the statement continued.
These baseline expenses are expected to rise in tandem with the new visa regime’s requirements for more thorough supporting documentation.
It was emphasized that the ramifications are serious because tighter documentation and lengthier wait periods could cause problems for African students and academic institutions when it comes to admissions and enrollment procedures.
Companies that rely on training, project-related travel, and professional exchanges may also be impacted.
It stated that many middle-class Africans who once thought of the United States as a feasible trip destination may no longer be able to afford it due to increased prices and longer wait times.
The revised U.S. visa program, it added, highlights Washington’s efforts to strike a balance between rising entrance demand and increased security concerns.
As the new system goes into effect in 2026, travelers are now advised to plan well in advance, prepare more thorough documentation, and anticipate longer processing times, as African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia rank among the sources of visa applications with the fastest rate of growth.
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