The Consular Newsletter (July 28 – August 03, 2025)
This week, the US imposes visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials, while the EU replaces passport stamps with digital checks.
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. Support consular research. I. Thanks.
A. Announcements
If you are a media professional or organization interested in updating The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings or partnering with the Center, feel free to contact us.
You are welcome to submit new writings for The Consular Magazine.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Americas
Colombia finalizes passport transition period, criticizes ex-minister Sarabia. Colombia One
Colorado deputies disciplined for helping federal immigration agents. The Associated Press
Harvard University student denied visa as others scramble to get to Massachusetts for semester. CBS News
More Americans seek Caribbean 'golden passports' amid political and economic uncertainty. NBC News
Priest's daughter detained by ICE after routine visa hearing. Newsweek
Ron DeSantis decries ‘whims of these big tech guys,’ cautions against H1B visa ‘scams’. Florida Politics
Some Californians carry passports in fear of ICE. ‘We’re being racially profiled’. The Fresno Bee
Trump moves to lift visa restrictions for Argentina in a boost to his right-wing ally. The Associated Press
Asia
China’s visa offensive. The Wire China
No passports, no study abroad: China limits public employees’ travel. The New York Times
Tehran, Kabul commit to facilitating return of undocumented Afghan nationals residing in Iran. Tehran Times
Europe
EU to replace passport stamps with digital checks from October. RFI
Parents leave 10-year-old at Barcelona airport over passport issue, fly without him. The Indian Express
Ukrainian families in Kherson region threatened with child removal over Russian passport refusal. United24 Media
Middle East
Turkey denies diplomatic status of embassy employee accused of filming girls in Tel Aviv. Turkish Minute
Multiple continents
High Court quashes United Kingdom’s refusal of consular assistance to Palestinian family seeking to leave Gaza. Matrix Chambers
I’ll miss my passport stamps. Skift
The United States suspends visa processing at embassy in Niger citing 'concerns'. RFI
This is your last chance to get your passport stamped. The Travel
US imposes visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials, PLO members. Reuters
Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
8 new Indian consular offices across US, responding to diaspora needs. The American Bazar
"We are ready to open a consulate in any city of Karabakh": Turkish ambassador. Artsakh News
Ennead Architects creates US consulate with "monumental diplomatic presence". Deezen
Germany’s decision to hand over the Afghan Embassy to the Taliban: a risky move with far-reaching consequences. Hasht-e Subh Daily
Guatemalan officials explore creation of consulate, business ties during Utah visit. KSL
India to send commandos to protect its embassy in Tripoli. LibyaHerald
Israeli embassies remain open in UAE despite travel advisory warning, terror concerns. The Jerusalem Post
Minister commences construction of Nigerian embassy building in Algiers. The Nation
New U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara / Miller Hull Partnership. ArchDaily
Are you aware of any recent openings or closures of embassies, high commissions, consular posts, or permanent missions? We invite users to participate in keeping the database current by sharing updates and corrections via the platform: https://arcg.is/1TDPiy1
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
Afghan national, two others arrested in Jabalpur for running passport racket. Desh Sewak
Here's why South Africa is getting new passport stamps at borders this month. IOL
Sentence for falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on Gainesville passport application. 97.5 Glory FM
F. Perspectives
Becoming a MAGA-loving “expat” in Russia is apparently a death sentence (by
).Casos de asilo y de colombianos detenidos sin garantías deterioran relación con Venezuela (by
).From PhD to immigration & IP law (by
).News: U.S. may soon require $15,000 visa bond for applicants (by
).Stranded and stateless! Somalis Ssuffering at foreign airports (by
).Trump visa bonds lack deterrent power (by
).- ).
This selection highlights a number of posts published this week to help readers discover diverse perspectives; the views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of 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. Support consular research
Support is possible via a donation. Your generosity helps a lot. Thank you very much.
I. Thanks
Partner: Yonsei University.
We are grateful to the news sources that contributed to bringing you this week's highlights. The content and views expressed are those of the authors alone and do not reflect the position of their affiliated institutions or the Center.
Thanks for linking to my article!