The United States has temporarily stopped all visa services at its embassies in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region.
The pause took effect on May 18, 2026, and affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories. That includes tourist visas, business visas, student visas, exchange visitor visas, and all other routine visa services.
The affected embassies are:
- U.S. Embassy Juba
- U.S. Embassy Kinshasa
- U.S. Embassy Kampala
Officials say the suspension is temporary, but no reopening date has been announced yet.
No New Visa Appointments Available
Travellers and visa applicants currently cannot book appointments at the three U.S. embassies.
According to the U.S. Department of State, applicants whose appointments were cancelled have already been informed. New appointment dates will be shared once normal operations restart.
This means people planning to travel to the United States from these countries may face delays for tourism, study, work, or immigration plans.
Why the U.S. Is Pausing Visa Services
The U.S. says the decision is linked to public health and safety concerns related to the Ebola outbreak.
Officials explained that the visa process must continue to meet strict health and security standards. Because of the growing Ebola situation in parts of Central and East Africa, routine visa operations have been temporarily paused to reduce health risks.
The move comes as several countries worldwide tighten border monitoring, airport screening, and health checks connected to Ebola concerns.
Existing U.S. Visas Still Valid, But Entry Restrictions Apply
The U.S. government says existing visas are not being cancelled because of the temporary suspension. However, holding a valid U.S. visa does not automatically guarantee entry at this time.
Travellers who have recently visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days will face U.S. entry restrictions, even if their visa remains valid.
The pause mainly affects new visa appointments and ongoing visa processing at the affected U.S. embassies.
No Refunds for Cancelled Visa Appointments
It is important to note here that the U.S. government will not issue any refunds for cancelled visa interviews caused by the suspension. Instead, officials will reschedule the appointments once visa services resume.
The U.S. government also confirmed that non-immigrant visa application fees remain valid for 365 days from the payment date. Applicants only need to schedule their interview within that period. The actual interview can happen later.
What This Means for Travellers and Students
The temporary suspension could create problems for several groups, including:
- Students planning to join U.S. universities
- Tourists with upcoming travel plans
- Business travellers
- Families waiting for immigrant visa processing
- Exchange program participants
Many applicants may now need to wait until operations restart or look for guidance from U.S. authorities about possible alternatives.
For now, travellers are being advised to closely monitor updates from the U.S. embassies and official government channels.
FAQs About the U.S. Visa Suspension
1. Why is the U.S. stopping visa services?
The U.S. government says the decision is connected to the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. Officials want to protect public health and ensure visa operations continue safely.
2. Which countries are affected?
Visa services are currently paused in:
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Uganda
3. Can travellers still use valid U.S. visas?
Yes. Existing valid visas are not cancelled or affected by the temporary suspension.
4. Can applicants book new visa appointments?
No. At the moment, no new appointments are available at the affected embassies.
5. Will cancelled visa appointments be refunded?
No. The appointments will instead be rescheduled once visa operations restart.
6. What impact could this have on travellers?
The suspension may delay tourism, student travel, work trips, immigration cases, and exchange programs involving travel to the United States from the affected countries.
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