The Consular Newsletter (June 09-15, 2025)
This week, Swedish authorities stated that Greta Thunberg does not need consular support, while Nigeria is pressuring embassies and consulates over ground rents.
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. Five perspectives. G. Honorary consuls. H. Get daily news. I. Support consular research. J. Thanks.
A. Announcements
The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings has been selected for Esri’s Living Atlas of the World – a leading global GIS collection.
While we are planning to launch the website in June 2025, you are now welcome to submit new writings for The Consular Magazine.
If you would like to partner with the Center, please feel free to get in touch.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Americas
Advanced passenger processing system now captures photos before passport checks. Fox News
Fans worry visa delays could keep them from attending 2026 World Cup. NBC News
iOS 26 will let you add your U.S. passport to wallet for identity verification. MacRumors
Is Minnesota a ‘sanctuary state’? Clarifying law vs. language from immigration hearing in Congress. MinnPost
No more student visas? No problem. The Atlantic
The ‘Mexican Beverly Hills’ reels from Trump immigration raids, forcing some to carry passports. Los Angeles Times
Trump unveils website for $5 million US residency visa. France 24
Asia
Armenian Syunik region through consulates and corridors. SpecialEurasia
Embassy contacts Hong Kong-based influencer’s ‘kidnapped’ father in Cambodia. South China Morning Post
Europe
Finland to move passport production to Poland. Notes from Poland
Swedish Foreign Ministry believes Greta Thunberg does not need help. Liga
Multiple continents
‘She is a hostage;’ Iranian academic faces solitary confinement in France for Palestine advocacy. Tehran Times
China revoked my visa, and came to regret it. The New York Times
Chinese children under 14 become latest targets of tougher US visa policies. South China Morning Post
France says it told citizens not to sail on boat that tried to breach Gaza blockade, asks Israel to allow them consular access. The Times of Israel
Hong Kong students still unable to get US visa bookings: consultancy firms. South China Morning Post
Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Bosnia and Herzegovina to open first UK consulate. BBC
Foreign Ministry allocates 115 million euros to consular digitalization and announces new consulates in the United Kingdom, China, Cuba and India. The Diplomat in Spain
France sued for decades of back rent on Baghdad embassy owned by displaced Iraqi Jews. Jewish News Syndicate
Georgian PM departs for Italy to open consulate in Milan. Caliber
Ground rent: 34 embassies risk closure Tuesday. OsunDefender
Israel shuts global embassies after attack on Iran. Reuters
Milei, visiting Knesset, says Argentina to move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2026. The Times of Israel
Plan to sell Dutch embassy in Bangkok hits local flak. Bangkok Post
US faces daunting security task in reopening Syrian embassy. Wasington Examiner
US reduces the presence of staffers not deemed essential in the Middle East as tensions rise. The Associated Press
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
French embassy visa fraud case: under India’s 1st silver notice from Interpol, CBI to trace assets abroad. ThePrint
Hawks arrest five suspects in Durban in connection with fraudulent passport syndicate. The Herald
In Kyiv, a fraudulent group that embezzled 56 million hryvnias through fictitious loans and forged passports was exposed. Antikor
Mail's shocking 'cash for visas' scam expose shows the UK is an 'immigration free for all', Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick warns. Daily Mail
Pakistan arrests suspects in visa fraud targeting job seekers hoping to reach Gulf, Europe. Arab News
Undercover Mail investigation exposes how crooked businesses are pocketing tens of thousands of pounds by illegally using skilled worker visas to get cheap labour for barbers, convenience stores and warehouses. Daily Mail
US, Canada tighten visa policy, brings to light Gujarat's visa fraud cases. Gujarat Samachar
F. Five perspectives
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 Consular Affairs Center.
Degrees of profit (by Celina101).
My Portuguese visa expired 6 months ago—here's my escape plan (by Kimberly Anne).
Visa en mano, puerta cerrada para los venezolanos (by Alejandra Oraa).
G. Honorary consuls
The Consular Affairs Center provides tailored reports for worldwide honorary consuls. Contact the Center to learn more.
H. 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.
I. Support consular research
Support is possible via a donation. Your generosity helps a lot. Thank you very much.
J. 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 Consular Affairs Center.
Thank you so much for mentioning me in your article!!!