Visa
More than half of Africa’s countries are now facing tougher barriers to entering the US, as Washington expands visa bonds and travel bans across the continent. Recently, the State Department added countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, and Zimbabwe to a list requiring visa applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000. Officials say the measure is meant to curb visa overstays, but critics argue the costs make travel unreachable for most Africans. At the same time, 12 African states face outright bans, with limited waivers for select cases like major sporting events. These steps come amid broader US efforts to tighten borders, including expanded social media screening and stricter health-related visa checks.
RFI