U.S. to Impose Higher Visa Fees on South Africans and other African countries from 2026

The United States has said it will raise visa application fees and tighten documentation requirements for citizens of Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and several other African nations beginning in 2026, due to a visa update. The move will affect travel for tourism, study, work and cultural exchange, increasing the financial and administrative burden on many African travellers.

These changes are linked to the growing demand for U.S. visas across African nations and concerns in Washington about security, visa misuse and overstay risks. The revised regime will cover a broad list of nations, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania and Senegal. At present, the baseline B1/B2 tourist visa fee stands at about $160, but under the new policy the charges will climb while paperwork requirements become more stringent. Applicants will be asked for stronger proof of financial stability and ties to their home country, such as employment records or property documents, and should expect longer processing times.

The impact will vary across the continent but is expected to be significant. Nigeria, one of the largest sources of U.S. visa applications in Africa, already faces waiting periods of several weeks at its consulates in Lagos and Abuja. Higher costs and longer delays could deter prospective students, business travellers and families. South Africans, who currently enjoy short-term visa waivers for certain visits, will now face steeper costs and additional steps when applying for student or work permits. Kenyan applicants, long accustomed to rigorous checks, are likely to experience further delays, and similar effects are anticipated in Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and Senegal.

Education and cultural exchange programmes may also feel the strain. Higher visa fees and slower processing times could hinder student mobility, research partnerships and professional exchanges, while low-income applicants, despite being well qualified, may find U.S. opportunities out of reach. Some analysts warn that the measures could limit the people-to-people connections that underpin cultural diplomacy and business ties between the U.S. and African countries.

The U.S. government has not released the exact amounts of the new fees or the detailed criteria for the enhanced documentation requirements. Travellers and institutions are being advised to monitor U.S. embassy updates and to plan well ahead of intended travel dates. Universities and cultural organisations may need to budget more for scholarships and travel support to offset the added cost.

Critics caution that the policy risks reducing the United States’ soft-power influence on the continent at a time when other global powers are expanding their engagement with Africa. If the higher charges and longer waits discourage students, entrepreneurs and creatives, African travellers may increasingly look to Europe, Asia or emerging regional hubs as alternatives.