Every region saw B1/B2 visa issuances drop in 2025 — Africa's decline was the steepest of all

Key Takeaways

  • Africa’s US visa issuances fell 37% in 2025, from 401.8k to 253.2k.
  • Egypt and Nigeria accounted for more than half of Africa’s 148.6k decline.
  • B1/B2 visas accounted for 84% of Africa’s overall decline in issuances.
  • Africa’s decline was significantly steeper than the 20.5% drop recorded in Europe.

Africa recorded the sharpest drop in US visa issuances in 2025, falling 37% from 401.8k to 253.2k.

Every region recorded a decline, but Africa’s fall was significantly steeper than Europe’s (-20.5%), Oceania’s (-27.6%), the Americas’ (-8.8%) and Asia’s (-1.6%). The 148.6k fewer issuances from Africa accounted for 26.6% of the total decline across the five regions, which fell by 550.8k issuances overall.

Looking at the visa categories behind the decline in Africa’s visa issuances, B1/B2 visas accounted for 84% of the decrease, making them a major contributor to the region’s overall fall.

Africa's 37% drop was heavily concentrated in a handful of countries, with Egypt and Nigeria alone accounting for more than half of the decline.

Source:

US Department of State

Period:

2024-2025
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