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Iran stands alongside Afghanistan, Russia, Uganda, Ukraine, Belarus, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and others facing severe travel challenges to the United States as US Government suspends visa services across several nations over Ebola, war, security risks and diplomatic tensions in 2026, because embassy closures, public health emergencies, regional conflicts, diplomatic breakdowns and reduced consular capacity are now blocking or delaying routine visa access for travellers, students, business visitors and families seeking entry into America.
Effective May 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State has temporarily suspended all routine visa operations at its embassies in Juba (South Sudan), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Kampala (Uganda) in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak. The suspension covers both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, including visas for tourism, business, study, exchange programmes, and other temporary travel. No new visa appointments can currently be scheduled at these three embassies, while applicants whose interviews have been cancelled are being notified and will be rescheduled once normal operations resume. Importantly, the temporary suspension does not affect visas that have already been issued and remain valid. The State Department has also confirmed that visa application fees will not be refunded but will remain valid for 365 days from the date of payment, allowing applicants to schedule new appointments after visa services restart.
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| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | May 18, 2026 |
| Reason for Suspension | Ongoing Ebola outbreak |
| Affected U.S. Embassies | Juba (South Sudan), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Kampala (Uganda) |
| Visa Categories Suspended | Immigrant visas and all nonimmigrant visas (tourist, business, student, exchange visitor, and others) |
| New Visa Appointments | Temporarily unavailable |
| Existing Valid Visas | Remain valid and unaffected |
| Cancelled Appointments | Will be automatically rescheduled when services resume |
| Visa Fee Refunds | No refunds provided |
| Application Fee Validity | Valid for 365 days from the receipt issuance date |
| Next Update | The U.S. Department of State will announce when visa appointment scheduling resumes |
The United States has temporarily or permanently suspended visa services in several countries because of war, political instability, public health emergencies, diplomatic breakdowns, security threats, and embassy closures. Nations such as Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Libya have no routine U.S. visa services because U.S. embassies are closed or diplomatic relations are absent. In Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, visa services remain restricted or limited due to regional conflict and diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, Uganda faces a temporary suspension linked to the Ebola outbreak. In most cases, affected applicants must apply for U.S. visas through embassies or consulates in third countries.Country U.S. Visa Services Status Reason for Suspension Background Alternative for Visa Applicants Iran No routine U.S. visa services available No diplomatic relations since 1980 following the Iranian Revolution and the U.S. Embassy hostage crisis The United States has not maintained an embassy in Tehran since April 1980. Without a diplomatic mission, no immigrant or nonimmigrant visas are issued inside Iran. Iranian nationals must apply through designated U.S. embassies in third countries. Applicants are generally referred to U.S. embassies or consulates in countries such as Armenia, Türkiye or the United Arab Emirates, depending on State Department guidance. Afghanistan All visa services suspended U.S. Embassy closed following the Taliban takeover in August 2021 After the collapse of the Afghan government, the U.S. evacuated embassy personnel and suspended all consular operations in Kabul. The embassy has remained closed, preventing all routine visa processing inside Afghanistan. Afghan applicants must apply through designated U.S. embassies or consulates in countries such as Pakistan, Qatar or other assigned locations. Russia Routine visa services severely limited Diplomatic staffing restrictions imposed by Russia and deterioration in bilateral relations Since 2021, Russia has prohibited the U.S. Embassy from employing most local staff, significantly reducing consular capacity. Visa appointments are extremely limited, particularly for nonimmigrant visas. Many Russian applicants are advised to seek appointments at U.S. embassies in countries including Kazakhstan, Serbia, Armenia or other nearby posts. Uganda All routine visa services temporarily suspended (effective May 18, 2026) Ebola outbreak The U.S. Department of State temporarily halted all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala to protect public health and embassy operations. Existing valid visas remain unaffected. Applicants must wait until routine services resume. Cancelled appointments will be automatically rescheduled. Ukraine Routine visa services suspended during the Russian invasion; limited services later resumed Security concerns arising from Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv suspended operations when Russia invaded Ukraine. As security conditions gradually improved, selected consular services resumed, although processing remains more limited than before the war. Many Ukrainians were initially referred to U.S. embassies in Poland, Germany, Romania and other European countries. Some services are now available in Kyiv. Belarus Routine visa services suspended Security concerns and deterioration in diplomatic relations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine The U.S. Embassy in Minsk suspended routine visa operations because of regional security risks and a reduced diplomatic presence. Consular staffing remains significantly restricted. Belarusian applicants are directed to apply at U.S. embassies in neighboring countries such as Lithuania, Poland or other designated posts. Syria All visa services suspended U.S. Embassy closed because of the Syrian civil war in 2012 Escalating violence during the Syrian conflict forced the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. Since then, no routine visa or consular services have been available inside Syria. Syrian applicants must travel to designated U.S. embassies in countries such as Lebanon, Jordan or other approved locations. Yemen All visa services suspended Embassy closure due to civil war and deteriorating security in 2015 The worsening conflict in Yemen led to the evacuation of embassy personnel and suspension of all consular operations. The embassy has remained closed ever since. Yemeni nationals generally apply through U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia, Djibouti or other designated regional posts. Libya Routine visa services suspended Armed conflict, terrorism threats and unstable security conditions The United States suspended visa operations after the security environment in Libya deteriorated. Although diplomatic engagement has resumed to a limited extent, routine visa processing remains unavailable. Libyan applicants are referred to U.S. embassies in neighboring countries such as Tunisia or Egypt, depending on current State Department guidance.
The United States does not suspend visa services lightly. Such decisions are usually taken when embassy staff cannot safely operate or when extraordinary circumstances make routine consular services impossible. Armed conflict, terrorism, civil unrest, diplomatic breakdowns, natural disasters and major public health emergencies have all led to temporary or long-term suspensions over the past two decades. While the reasons vary from country to country, the primary objective remains the same—protecting embassy personnel while maintaining the integrity and security of the U.S. immigration and visa system. In many cases, emergency services for U.S. citizens continue even when routine visa appointments are halted.
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For travellers, students, business professionals and families, a suspension of routine visa services can significantly disrupt travel plans. New visa interviews cannot be scheduled, existing appointments are often cancelled, and applicants may need to travel to another country simply to attend a visa interview. This can increase travel costs, extend waiting times and create additional logistical challenges. However, a suspension of visa services does not automatically invalidate visas that have already been issued. Individuals holding valid U.S. visas can generally continue travelling unless separate travel restrictions or entry bans are announced by the U.S. government.
The latest Ebola-related suspension in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda highlights how rapidly global events can reshape international travel. Health emergencies, geopolitical conflicts and diplomatic tensions increasingly influence not only airline operations and border controls but also access to visas. For travellers planning international journeys, especially to or through regions experiencing instability, monitoring official embassy updates has become just as important as checking passport validity or booking flights. As global mobility continues to recover, flexibility and timely access to official travel information remain essential for avoiding unexpected disruptions.
Iran stands alongside Afghanistan, Russia, Uganda, Ukraine, Belarus, Syria, Yemen, Libya and others facing severe travel challenges to the United States as US Government suspends visa services across several nations over Ebola, war, security risks and diplomatic tensions in 2026.
In conclusion, Iran stands alongside Afghanistan, Russia, Uganda, Ukraine, Belarus, Syria, Yemen, Libya, and others facing severe travel challenges to the United States as US Government suspends visa services across several nations over Ebola, war, security risks and diplomatic tensions in 2026, because embassy closures, public health emergencies, armed conflict, reduced consular staffing, diplomatic breakdowns and unstable security conditions are disrupting normal visa access. The latest situation shows how quickly global mobility can change when health crises, war and political pressure collide, forcing travellers, students, workers and families to depend on third-country visa processing, delayed appointments and constant official updates before planning travel to America.
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