The Consular Newsletter (December 15-21, 2025)
This week, Epstein photos reveal passports, while Lukashenko announces talks to reopen the U.S. embassy.
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.
A. Announcements
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B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway resumes passport services in cooperation with the Taliban. Kabul Now
From truce in the trenches to cocktails at the consulate: how Christmas diplomacy seeks to exploit seasonal goodwill. The Conversation
Green Bay man’s ‘nightmare’ Vietnam trip serves as cautionary tale about travel insurance. Fox 11 News
How one consulate worker risked her freedom to save a triple amputee. The San Francisco Standard
Ngige, EFCC clash over missing passport in London. Punch
Russia confirms release of detained citizen in Iran. WANA News Agency
War and the weight of the passport. Transitions
Why I have to give Fortnite my passport to use Bluesky. Spitfire News
Africa
Inside push to expand voting rights of inmates, Kenyans in diaspora. Daily Nation
New Somalia e-visa security flaw puts personal data of thousands at risk. Al Jazeera
Americas
Epstein photos show island map, passports, ‘Lolita’ scrawled on skin. USA Today
Former FBI fugitive pleads guilty in 2010 U.S. Consulate murders in Juarez. KFOX
Google, Apple, and Microsoft warn some visa holders not to leave the US due to ‘significant’ return delays of up to a year. Business Insider
H-1B visa system faces fresh questions after ex-consular officer’s claims. The 420
ICE accidentally publishes a ‘watch list’ of immigration lawyers, which is definitely a normal thing for the government to do. Above the Law
New visa rules require social media reviews. What it means for free speech. USA Today
Oregon sues Trump admin over new $100,000 fee for skilled worker visa program. Oregon Capital Chronicle
The chaotic life of an immigration lawyer in Trump’s America: ‘some days you break down in tears’. The Guardian
Trump admin. seeks to begin screening social media of foreign tourists from 42 visa waiver countries. ABC7
Trump administration aims to strip more foreign-born Americans of citizenship. The New York Times
Europe
Norway quietly denying entry to CBI passport holders Investment. Migration Insider
Asia, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Al-Hweij explains reasons for the delay in opening the Russian Consulate in Benghazi. Libya Update
Canada plans to open consulates in Greenland and Alaska to strengthen Arctic presence. Reuters
Czech Republic expected to move embassy to Jerusalem in 2026. Jewish News Syndicate
Inside the former US embassy that’s now one of the world’s top luxury hotels - with 8 bars and restaurants and suites to book for £26,100. Daily Mail
Israel will open 3 new embassies and close one in 2026. Ynet
Kyrgyz Republic expands diplomacy with new Embassy in Egypt. The Caspian Post
Lukashenko: talks to reopen US embassy underway. Baha Breaking News
E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
ED flags ‘biologically impossible’ error in passport scam linked to Pak national. India Today
Fugitive Chinese scam suspect arrested at Suvarnabhumi. Bangkok Post
Visa fraud: US embassy warns Nigerians of permanent bans. Vanguard
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
City launches Business Passport Program as part of Duke Street planning process (by Ryan Belmore)
Constitutional Court blocks citizenship reforms // Government and union to meet after strike // Portugal crowned Economy of the Year (by Jorge Branco)
How a system renamed my friend and everyone agreed (by Vinod Nair)
New ban bars 1 in 5 legal immigrants, even citizens’ spouses & kids (by David J. Bier)
Side projects that actually help your visa case (by Atal Agarwal)
Will my home be nothing but a passport stamp and a playlist? (by namatayi <3)
I. Get daily news
Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, 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.
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. Media professionals interested in contributing 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.