Morocco Joins Uganda, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Others in Africa to Face Significant Visa Delays to US Due to High Demand and Security Measures Next Year

Published on December 24, 2025

Morocco joins Uganda, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, and others in Africa facing significant visa delays to the U.S. due to high demand and security measures, leading to longer processing times next year. As more applicants seek to travel to the U.S. for business, education, tourism, and family visits, consular services are struggling to keep up with the increasing volume of visa applications. The situation is further exacerbated by tightened security protocols, including in-depth background checks and additional vetting procedures. As a result, applicants from these countries, including Morocco, can expect delays of several months before securing their visa appointments, making the process more challenging for travelers hoping to visit the U.S. in the coming year.

Morocco: Increased Visa Delays Amid Growing Demand

Morocco is experiencing significant delays in U.S. visa processing due to the increasing number of applicants and tighter security protocols. As demand for U.S. visas grows, Moroccan applicants face longer wait times as the consular system struggles to keep up. The volume of applicants, particularly in Casablanca, has led to extended processing times, exacerbated by the additional scrutiny under new vetting procedures. Applicants should expect delays, with wait times often exceeding several months. These delays are primarily caused by both the high demand for appointments and the need for thorough background checks.

Uganda: Bottleneck in Visa Appointments Due to Demand Surge

Uganda is seeing considerable delays in U.S. visa processing as a result of high demand coupled with limited consular resources. With an increasing number of applicants seeking to travel to the U.S., particularly for business and educational purposes, the U.S. embassy in Kampala is experiencing significant backlogs. In addition to the surge in applications, new security measures and thorough background checks are further extending processing times. The embassy’s capacity to handle the growing volume of applicants is being tested, leading to longer waiting periods for visa appointments.

Egypt: Strained Visa System Amid Rising Applications

Egypt is facing an ongoing visa processing crisis due to a rise in applications and the implementation of tighter security measures. The U.S. embassy in Cairo has been overwhelmed by the increasing number of applicants, which has resulted in extended waiting times for visa interviews. In addition to high demand, stricter vetting procedures, such as in-depth background checks, have contributed to a backlog that affects not only Egyptian nationals but also Third-Country Nationals (TCNs) seeking to apply through Egypt. The embassy has limited capacity to accommodate the high volume of applicants, making it challenging for travelers to secure timely appointments.

Nigeria: Visa Processing Bottleneck Due to High Demand

Nigeria is experiencing major delays in U.S. visa processing due to both high demand and stringent security measures. With an increasing number of applicants, particularly in Lagos and Abuja, visa wait times have risen significantly. The U.S. embassy in Nigeria is one of the busiest in Africa, and the high volume of applications, combined with new security vetting procedures, has stretched the embassy’s resources. The embassy’s limited capacity, especially for first-time B1/B2 applicants, has led to wait times of several months, with significant delays expected to continue in the coming year.

South Africa: Visa Processing Struggles Amid High Volume

South Africa is facing growing delays in U.S. visa processing due to an influx of applicants coupled with increased security measures. The U.S. embassy in Pretoria, alongside consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, is experiencing backlogs due to high demand for visas, especially from business and tourism sectors. The embassy is also grappling with tightened security protocols, which require more detailed background checks and additional administrative processing. As a result, applicants from South Africa are facing longer wait times, often extending into several months, especially for first-time visa applicants.

Tanzania: Increased Delays Due to High Demand

Tanzania is facing significant delays in U.S. visa processing as a result of both increased demand and tighter security protocols. With more Tanzanians seeking to travel to the U.S. for business, education, and tourism, the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam has been overwhelmed by the volume of applications. Additionally, new security measures and the need for comprehensive background checks have further extended the processing times. As a result, applicants are facing delays that can last for several months, with particularly long wait times for first-time applicants.

Ethiopia: Visa Delays Driven by Increased Demand

Ethiopia is grappling with visa delays due to high demand and tighter security measures at the U.S. embassy in Addis Ababa. The embassy has seen an increase in the number of applicants, particularly in light of the growing interest in travel for business, education, and family visits. The additional security measures and background checks are contributing to the delays, as the embassy has limited capacity to process the growing volume of applications. As a result, Ethiopian applicants are experiencing longer wait times for visa appointments, often spanning several months.

Zambia: Processing Delays Due to High Volume and Security Checks

Zambia is experiencing significant delays in U.S. visa processing, primarily due to the high volume of applications and heightened security measures. The U.S. embassy in Lusaka has been struggling to keep up with the growing demand for visas, especially as more Zambians seek to travel for business, tourism, and education. The embassy’s limited resources, combined with the need for more thorough security checks, have led to extended waiting periods for applicants. Those seeking first-time B1/B2 visas are particularly affected, with some waiting several months for appointments.

Morocco joins Uganda, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, and others in Africa in facing significant visa delays to the U.S. due to high demand and security measures, leading to longer processing times next year.

Conclusion

Morocco joins Uganda, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zambia, and other countries in Africa in facing significant visa delays to the U.S. next year. These delays are primarily driven by high demand for visas and the implementation of security measures, which have led to longer processing times. As applicants from these nations contend with extended wait times, it’s essential to plan ahead and remain patient as consular systems work to manage the increased volume of applications.