The Consular Newsletter (December 22-28, 2025)
This week, Epstein’s fake Austrian passport surfaces, while former EU commissioner Breton blasts his U.S. visa ban as a political 'witch hunt'.
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
“Passport bro” spotted in viral video can’t swipe right fast enough on women at the airport. Daily Dot
“Witch hunt”: ex-EU commissioner Breton denounces U.S. visa ban targeting ‘censorship’. CNBC
Opinion: a single letter on a passport can change everything. AFAR
Russian MFA denies evacuating Embassy staff from Venezuela. The Moscow Times
Trump news at a glance: EU could respond to ‘unjustified’ US visa bans, official says. The Guardian
Turkey arrests three members of outlawed Muslim Brotherhood over plan to storm Egyptian consulate in Istanbul. Egypt Today
UK places visa sanctions on DR Congo over migrant returns. Financial Times
Why you should always keep a photo of your passport barcode. NDTV
Americas
‘It’s sad we have to do this’: the US citizens carrying passports out of fear. The Guardian
Eduardo Bolsonaro loses both Brazil passports amid court probe. Bloomberg
Is the Diversity Visa a security risk? The Dispatch
Jeffrey Epstein’s fake Austrian passport pictured in latest DOJ document dump. New York Post
Judge sides with Trump over his $100K visa fee. Politico
Trump appoints attorney and part-time beauty salon owner to oversee which foreigners can enter the US. Daily Mail
Understanding Trump’s “Expanded Travel and Immigration Ban”. Asian Law Caucus
Visa ban imposed by US on ex-EU commissioner over digital platform rules. Digital Watch Observatory
Asia
China successfully rescues a Filipino fisherman: Chinese Embassy. Global Times
India rejects Bangladeshi media claims of security threat near High Commission. MyIndMakers
Khalistani groups disrupt Bangladesh Hindu protest outside high commission in London. Organiser
Oceania and Pacific Islands
Major issue with Australian passport as fee set to rise again on January 1: ‘You’d expect better’. Yahoo
Asia, Europe, and Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Afghan Embassy in Japan to suspend operations in January 2026. Afghanistan International
European country opens consulate office in Karachi. Bloom Pakistan
Moscow threatens Poland with ‘consequences’ if it pursues reclaiming site of former Russian consulate. TVP World
Russia refuses to vacate former consulate in Poland’s Gdansk. Anadolu Agency
E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
Howland man sentenced in federal court for passport fraud. WABI
Investigation reveals thousands of Russians fraudulently gained Romanian citizenship by descent. Investment Migration Insider
Le Monde: Romanian passport scam gave EU access to thousands of Russians — some stole names of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Euromaiden Press
Russians are evading sanctions with fake Romanian documents. Le Monde
They are trying to scam you’: US Embassy in India warns of visa fraud amid H-1B delays — here’s how to spot fraudsters. Mint
F. Honorary consuls and current jobs
United Kingdom in Baden-Württemberg state, Germany (deadline: January 15, 2026)
Access jobs: link
G. Perspectives
🧨 In 1982, Jeffrey Epstein was already living under a fake passport identity and traveling all over the world (by Shaun King)
A Trump 2.0 era takes on immigration, with a much more aggressive political undertone (by Jordan Coll)
Diplomacy at decision speed: what nearly two decades taught me about 2026 (by Katherine Ntiamoah)
My visa expired; I made Kimchijjigae (by Eeshaan Singh-Basu)
October 7 changed everything—for hostage families, the IDF, and the Jewish diaspora (by Daniel Mael)
Surrendering my passport - trapped in Bangkok (by Billy Zimmermann)
The case against UK visa fees (or, how I learned to stop worrying about cross-subsidization and love outside options) (by Lauren Gilbert)
What the Bondi attack reveals about Australia’s immigration policy (by Claire Lehmann)
H. 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.
I. 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.