The United States has suspended all routine visa processing at its embassy in Niamey, Niger, indefinitely.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed that both immigrant and non-immigrant visa services are affected, attributing the move to “concerns with the Government of Niger” without elaborating further.
Diplomatic and official visa applications will continue to be processed. However, a confidential State Department cable dated July 25 directed consular officers globally to adopt stricter screening measures for all visa applicants from Niger.
The directive cited high visa overstay rates—8 percent for tourist visas and 27 percent for student and exchange categories—as the basis for the enhanced scrutiny.
The U.S. embassy in Niamey has already informed affected applicants of the suspension.
This development comes against the backdrop of deteriorating U.S.-Niger relations.
The U.S. military completed its full withdrawal from Niger last September after the country’s military junta demanded the exit of American forces.
The pullout marked a significant shift, as Niger had been a key U.S. ally in regional counterterrorism efforts prior to the 2023 coup.
In a broader context, the Trump administration continues to intensify its immigration policies.
Thousands of visas have been revoked, and screening procedures—including social media vetting—have been expanded.
Reports indicate increased scrutiny of student visa and green card holders over perceived support for Palestinians, with some flagged as potential threats to U.S. foreign policy.
Senator Marco Rubio, a vocal advocate of these measures, said the policy shift is essential for safeguarding national security.
