The Consular Newsletter (December 01-07, 2025)
This week, the U.S. moved to deny visas to fact-checkers, while London pushed its China super-embassy decision to January.
Every week, 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!
A. Announcements
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B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
From illegal ‘police stations’ to rolling consulates: Beijing’s new interference tactic expands beyond major cities on Canadian soil. The Bureau
Should you add your passport to Apple Wallet? The Washington Post
U.S. citizens with Somali roots are carrying their passports amid Minnesota ICE crackdown. The Intercept
Africa
Algeria’s vindictive passport revocation targets released writer Boualem Sansal Morocco World News
Egypt warns citizens abroad against social media videos seeking consular help. Egypt Independent
Nigerian embassy grants asylum to Guinea-Bissau opposition candidate. TheCable
America
Chinatown’s secret passport photo whisperer has New Yorkers lining up for their closeup. New York Post
Gallego urges Trump administration to ramp up oversight of H-1B visas. The Hill
Musk says H-1B visas being ‘gamed’ by outsourcing firms. BBC
State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing ‘censorship’. NPR
Supreme Court chooses cruelty over evidence in transgender passport case. Pride Source
TSA announces $45 fee for travelers without a Real ID or passport. NBC 7 San Diego
Visa canceled at the border, a Hopkins grad student has been stuck in Canada for months. The Baltimore Banner
Asia
Indian govt comes under fire for denying visa to Rev. Franklin Graham. UCA News
Pakistan’s anti-India fake news over Sri Lanka relief busted – expired ‘evidence’ again? Times Now World
Europe
Over a million descendants of Spaniards have applied for citizenship, overwhelming consulates. El País
Middle East
2,965 refugees return from Pakistan and Iran in one day; High Commission transfers more than 3,000 people to their original areas. Afghan Voice Agency
Oceania and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Chinese ‘super-embassy’ decision delayed until January. The Independent
Chinese mega embassy could bring security advantages, says No 10. BBC
Finland to shut embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar next year. Arab News
Iraq urges reopening of US consulate in Basra during talks with Deputy Secretary of State. 964media
Kurdistan Region President welcomes Swiss Ambassador, hails Embassy reopening as boost to bilateral ties. Kurdistan24
Pakistan expected to open embassy in Armenia next year. News Azerbaijan
Palestine’s ambassador calls for better security after masked men target London embassy. The Guardian
Russia approves plan for new diplomatic mission in East African country. Business Insider Africa
Russia clears out last consulate in Poland amid sabotage allegations and €1.9m rent dispute. TVP World
Syria to reopen embassy in Ankara amid renewed diplomatic moves. Daily Excelsior
US Deputy Secretary of State arrives in Iraq, to open new Erbil consulate. The New Region
Uzbekistan, Canada boost ties and plan Embassy openings. The Caspian Post
World’s largest US Consulate set to open in Erbil. Rudaw
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
238 passports & more: Mumbai police busts fake overseas jobs network. Business Standard
South Korean nationals arrested in Iran for alleged smuggling. Devdiscourse
St Lucia votes in election dominated by economy, crime and passport sales. The Guardian
Thailand probing ‘visa runners’ exploiting entry system for illegal business and scams. AsiaOne
Visa fraud crackdown; IGI Airport unit nabs mastermind behind fake French D-type visas. The Sunday Guardian
F. Honorary consuls
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
G. Current honorary consul jobs
United Kingdom in Baden-Württemberg state, Germany (deadline: January 15, 2026)
Access jobs: link
H. Perspectives
CDC updates Ethiopia travel notice for Marburg virus to include Hawassa (by Robert Herriman)
Constitutional reckoning: the U.S. Government names foreign censorship as a threat to the Republic (By Sayer Ji)
Resolute John Florio at the French embassy (by Marianna Iannaccone)
The Afghan shooter and the limits of vetting (by Jeff Stein)
The nightmare of Trumpian ZIPG (zero immigrant population growth), parts 3 & 4 (by david stockman)
Trump’s attacks on Somali citizens and refugees reinforce pattern of bigotry (by Austin Kocher)
We cannot talk about immigration to the U.S. (by Ruth Zakarin)
I. Get daily news
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The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.
Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.
Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.
J. Supporting consular research
The Consular Affairs Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.
Incubating partner: Yonsei University.
Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. If you are a media professional wishing to contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.
The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.