The U.S. State Department is significantly restructuring its visa processing operations in Africa, reducing the number of service locations from nearly 50 to 20 regional hubs. Ghana, along with 18 other African nations, will retain its visa processing services, with Accra designated as a key center. This consolidation means applicants from countries losing local services may need to travel to hubs like Accra, Lagos, or Dakar for interviews and other consular procedures. The move, part of an overhaul of U.S. diplomatic and immigration operations, could lead to increased travel and accommodation costs for applicants and is occurring amidst high visa demand and U.S. efforts to tighten immigration controls, with implications for events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.