The Consular Newsletter (August 18-24, 2025)
This week, the Trump administration plans to review all 55 million foreign visa holders for potential violations, while thousands of passport scans are stolen from Italian hotels.
Every Monday, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. Keep informed!
Contents: A. Announcements. B. Video of the week. C. Consular affairs. D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings. E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud. F. Perspectives. G. Get daily news. H. Supporting consular research: in appreciation of our partners
A. Announcements
Got an analysis, perspective, or story to share? The Consular Magazine explores migration and travel, particularly where government policy, action, or diplomacy plays a role. Open to all, from students and young professionals to seasoned experts. Interested? The Center warmly welcomes your writings.
If you are a media professional wishing to contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, or an organization interested in partnering, feel free to contact the Center.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
Biometric passports now valid for US Login.gov remote identity proofing. Biometric Update
Canadian detained in U.A.E. says he felt abandoned by embassy. CBC
Don't let passport backlogs ruin your trip. Renew yours online lightning fast. Cnet
Flag-raising at Pakistani consulate in UK shared in misleading posts about 'Islamic invasion'. Reuters
France warns Israel over reported plan to close Jerusalem consulate, says move would get ‘strong response’. The Times of Israel
Here's what customs officials and border officers see when they scan your passport. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
IU sanctions professor who told students he tried to shut down Israeli consulate. Campus Reform
Nigeria vows to mirror US visa social media rule. Deutsche Welle
Unsealed documents: Guam woman, South Korean man accused of 'sham marriage'. Pacific Daily News
US suspends visa processing in Zimbabwe, embassy says. Reuters
Africa
Repeated assaults against Egyptian diplomatic missions: Who protects diplomats abroad? Egypt Today
South Africa guarantees Mozambicans protection against ‘Operation Dudula’ – report. Club of Mozambique
Americas
Accepted at universities, unable to get visas: inside Trump’s war on international students. The Intercept
Algeria joins the apostille convention: a landmark step in streamlining global documentation. Dzair Tube
Amicus brief argues that judicial review is available when consular officer reclassifies an immigrant visa petition creating delay for applicant. American Immigration Council
Goodbye to traditional controls – the TSA implements a historic change at 15 US airports. Unión Rayo
Marjorie Taylor Greene takes aim at Trump Administration over visa change. Newsweek
State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas this year. Higher Ed Dive
Trump administration is reviewing all 55 million foreigners with US visas for any violations. The Associated Press
Tunisia starts investigation into circumstances of extradition of Al-Baghdadi Al-Mahmoudi to Libya. The Libya Observer
U.S. consulate in Tijuana clarifies: no changes in visa fees… yet. BajaNews
Visa interview wait times are skyrocketing. Newsweek
Asia
Bloomberg working to resolve visa denial for Hong Kong journalist. Reuters
Chinese national who overstayed visa learns fate for exporting weapons to North Korea. Fox News
Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Armenian consulate in Yekaterinburg suspended its activities. APA
China refuses to explain ‘greyed out’ parts of London embassy plan. Financial Times
Consulate General of India inks 21K SF lease at DTLA's Aon Center. Bisnow
Consulate of India inks rare new commitment for downtown Los Angeles. CoStar
First Guatemala Consulate opens in Las Vegas. FOX5 Vegas
Foreign minister departs for Zambia to inaugurate new embassy. The Times of Israel
Ukraine eyes Erbil consulate opening as Iraq ties grow. Rudaw
VFS Global expands consular application centres in USA; unveils 8 new centres. Indo American News
Do you have any information on recent openings or closures of embassies, high commissions, consular posts, or permanent missions? Feel free to update the database.
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
FG suspends correctional officers over passport scam. Punch
Foreign Affairs Ministry cautions against unauthorised payments in consular services. Citinewsroom
Immigration attorney calls U-visa fraud "sickening" as motel owner faces charges in staged robbery case. KMTV 3 News Now Omaha
Indian national sentenced for visa fraud conspiracy. Greatandhra
Lawyers, advocates fear Omaha fraud case could undermine visa for crime victims. Norfolk Daily News
Thai woman with 3 passports held at airport for visa fraud. The Times of India
Unsealed documents: Guam woman, South Korean man accused of 'sham marriage'. Pacific Daily News
F. Perspectives
America doesn’t owe you a student visa (by
).Dear elders: yes, there are countries outside the US that want you (by
).Diaspora reset: a country-first plan of action for North America (by
).Full circle at the Ukrainian Consulate (by
).If Canada isn’t an option: five countries with retirement visas (by
).Israel raises flag in Zambia, deepens African partnerships (by
).Judge blocks State's use of Trump's travel ban to reject visa applications (by
).Missed the China embassy saga? Here’s how we got here (by
).Nomads, meet Africa’s visa experiments (by
and ).Rubio boots 10K visa holders (by
).Russian embassy in Skopje got a temponuke from Biopreparat (by
).Scoop: Trump travel ban dealt legal blow (by
).The embassy, the hostages, and the Jewish future: Mort Klein on zionism without apology (by
).The visa you’ve probably never heard of (by
).Trump’s travel ban now demands photo albums (by
).
The views expressed are those of the authors only and not the Center.
G. Get daily news
Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.
The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.
Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.
H. Supporting consular research: in appreciation of our partners
Incubating partner: Yonsei University.
Individual support is also possible via a donation. Your generosity helps a lot. Thank you very much.
Acknowledgment: we are grateful to the news sources that contributed to bringing you this week's highlights. The views expressed are those of the authors only and not the Center.