Blog

Less than 24 hours ago, the White House released updated information expanding US travel and visa restrictions to include additional countries, with varying levels of impact across Africa. We understand that immigration-related news can be unsettling, so our goal with this update is to clearly explain what this means for students and outline practical next steps without panic.
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What Has Changed ‍

There are now two key categories affecting African students:

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1. Countries Under Full Travel Ban (Originally Banned earlier this year)

For some countries newly added to the list (Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen and heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela), this represents a full ban, meaning:

• No new US visas are being issued

• Entry into the US is not permitted, regardless of purpose (including study) For students from these countries, pursuing US study in the short term is not realistic, and alternative destinations should be prioritised

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2. Countries Under Partial Restrictions

(Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.) For countries under partial restriction:

• US student visas are currently not being issued

• Even though this is not labelled a “full ban,” the practical effect is the same for new applicants: no visa issuance at this time

• Timelines for resumption are unclear This distinction matters legally, but from a planning perspective, students should assume no near-term access to U.S. student visas.

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3. Recently Banned in the last 24 hours (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria.)

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Important Clarifications for African Students: Visa ≠ Entry

Even for students who already hold valid US visas:

• A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States

• Entry is always determined by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the airport.

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Holiday Travel Advisory

For students currently enrolled in US institutions who are outside the US for the holidays:

• We strongly advise returning to the US before January 1st

• Re-entry after this date may be complicated or denied, depending on implementation

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What We Advise Students to Do Now

1. Do Not Panic, But Do Not Commit Financially

At this stage: Avoid paying non-refundable tuition deposits, avoid housing deposits or long-term financial commitments tied solely to US study, and If you have already been admitted, pause major payments until visa clarity improves

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2. Ask Universities for Flexibility

Students should proactively: Request admission deferrals, ask for deposit extensions, and inquire about holding offers without penalty. Many universities are already aware of these developments and are preparing contingency options.

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3. Reassess US Study Plans for This Cycle

Even if restrictions are eventually lifted, visa backlogs are likely to be significant, interview availability will not normalize immediately, and processing delays could push timelines well beyond intended start dates.

Practically speaking, pursuing US study this year should not be the primary plan for affected students.

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4. Actively Explore Alternative Destinations

This is the most important step right now.

Given the current uncertainty, we strongly encourage you to keep your options open by actively exploring strong study destinations outside the U.S., including Canada, the UK, Europe, and selected African and global pathway programs. For now, US study is best viewed as a longer-term option rather than an immediate plan. Diversifying your choices helps reduce both emotional and financial risk.

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We strongly recommend:

• Keeping applications open to Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and selected African or global pathway programs

• Viewing the US study as a longer-term option, not an immediate one

Diversifying options reduces emotional and financial risk.

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5. Understand That “Waiting It Out” Has Costs

While policies can change, waiting without a backup plan can result in:

• Missed academic cycles

• Lost deposits

• Delayed career progression

Strategic flexibility now is better than reactive decisions later.

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Our Reassurance to African Students

• This situation is not a reflection of your academic profile

• Many strong African students globally are affected by policy decisions beyond their control

• With the right guidance, your education plans do not have to stall

Our role as your education consulting partner is to help you plan clearly, pivot intelligently, and protect your long-term goals.

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Next Steps

We encourage all affected students to:

• Speak with us directly about country-specific guidance

• Re-evaluate school choices and timelines

• Build a multi-country application strategy where appropriate

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We will continue to monitor developments closely and share updates as more information becomes available.

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