The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a temporary pause of all visa operations at three U.S. embassies in East and Central Africa due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
Effective May 18, 2026, routine visa services have been suspended at:
- U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan
- U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- U.S. Embassy Kampala, Uganda
The temporary suspension affects both immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas, including tourist, business, student, exchange visitor, and employment-based visa categories.
What Visa Services Are Paused?
According to the Department of State, the pause includes:
- Immigrant visa interviews
- Tourist and visitor visas (B-1/B-2)
- Student visas (F-1/M-1)
- Exchange visitor visas (J-1)
- Employment-based visas
- All other routine nonimmigrant visa services
Applicants impacted by the suspension are reportedly being notified directly regarding cancelled or rescheduled appointments.
Why Is DOS Suspending Visa Operations?
The Department of State stated that the suspension is being implemented due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak and as part of efforts to uphold:
- U.S. public health standards
- Safety protocols
- Consular operational security
The suspension is currently described as temporary, though DOS has not announced a timeline for resuming operations.
Can Applicants Schedule New Visa Appointments?
No. At this time, applicants cannot schedule new visa appointments at the affected embassies. The Department of State has confirmed that appointment scheduling will remain unavailable until visa operations resume. Applicants are advised to monitor embassy websites for updates.
What Happens to Existing Visa Appointments?
Applicants with existing appointments that were impacted by the suspension are expected to receive direct notification from the embassy.
According to DOS:
- Cancelled appointments will eventually be rescheduled
- Applicants will be informed once appointment scheduling resumes
Does This Affect Existing Valid U.S. Visas?
No. The Department of State specifically confirmed that the temporary pause:
- Does not cancel or revoke currently valid visas
- Does not affect travelers already holding valid U.S. visas
Individuals with valid visas may still travel subject to existing entry requirements and public health measures.
Are Visa Fees Refundable?
No. DOS stated that visa application fees will not be refunded due to the temporary suspension.
However:
- Nonimmigrant visa fees remain valid for 365 days from the receipt issuance date
- Applicants may schedule appointments later once operations resume, even if the actual interview occurs after the 365-day period, as long as scheduling occurs within the permitted timeframe
What Should Applicants Do Now?
Applicants affected by the suspension should:
- Monitor the website of the relevant U.S. embassy
- Watch for email notifications regarding rescheduling
- Avoid making nonrefundable travel plans until operations resume
- Maintain copies of visa fee receipts and appointment confirmations
Individuals with urgent travel needs may also consider whether visa processing may be available at another U.S. embassy or consulate, depending on local policies and appointment availability.
Final Thoughts
The temporary suspension of visa operations in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda highlights how public health emergencies can quickly impact global immigration processing and travel plans.
While the Department of State has emphasized that the measure is temporary, applicants should prepare for delays and closely monitor official embassy announcements for reopening updates.
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SIANA J.MCLEAN is a Partner at Richards and Jurusik, who practices immigration law with a focus on asylum, removal defense, and immigration court matters. She has extensive experience representing clients before U.S. Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. (Full Bio)
