US non-immigrant visas to Africa: issuances fell across Africa’s top 10, with Tunisia the exception

South Africa overtook Nigeria as Africa’s largest source of US non-immigrant visa issuances in 2025, with 62,647 visas.
Nigeria’s issuances fell 46.1% to 48,669, down from 90,344 in 2024.
US non-immigrant visa issuances to African nationals fell 32.9%, from 539,800 to 362,431.
Only three African nationalities recorded increases: Tunisia (+12.5%), Guinea (+12.0%) and Eswatini (+3.2%).

South Africa overtook Nigeria to become the largest recipient of US non-immigrant visas among African nationals in 2025, with 62,647 issuances. South Africa had ranked second in 2024, when Nigeria led with 90,344 issuances.

Nigeria’s issuances fell by 41,675, or 46.1%, while Egypt recorded an even larger percentage decline of 53.3%. Among the 10 countries with the highest issuance volumes in 2025, only Tunisia recorded an increase, rising 12.5% to 11,170.

Across Africa, US non-immigrant visa issuances fell 32.9%, from 539,800 in 2024 to 362,431 in 2025. Only three African nationalities recorded increases overall: Tunisia (12.5%), Guinea (12.0%) and Eswatini (3.2%).

Source:

US Department of State

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Period:

2025

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