The Consular Newsletter (June 16-22, 2025)
This week, countries evacuated citizens from Israel and Iran, as the USA tightened social media checks for visas.
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
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B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Africa
Sudan’s high passport fees spark anger among refugees in Uganda. Sudan Tribune
Americas
Colorado terror attack exposes ‘national security threat’ posed by immigrant visa overstays: former FBI agent. Fox News
Florida attorney general held in civil contempt over immigration law. The Washington Post
Former Haitian mayor sentenced to 9 years in US prison for visa fraud. The Haitian Times
Government resumes foreign student visas but wants to access social accounts. The Baltimore Sun
Judge blocks Trump administration passport policy targeting transgender people. CBS News
Lutnick hails Trump’s $5mn investor visa as almost 70,000 apply. Financial Times
Panama and Venezuela to restore consular services in each other's countries. The Washington Post
Trump administration weighs adding 36 countries to travel ban, memo says. Reuters
Trump’s revival of an 85-year old immigration law creates new risks for undocumented migrants. The Economic Times
TSA approves digital Real ID option for iPhone users. Al
U.S. revokes visa of Panama’s former President who criticized Trump deal. The New York Times
US basketball training for Senegal cancelled after visas rejected. BBC
US embassies must vet students for ‘hostile attitudes’ but can resume visa appointments, State Department says. CNN
Asia
Indian consulates play key role in perpetrating transnational repression: IAMC report. Maktoob Media
Wife need not obtain husband’s signature to apply for passport: Madras High Court. The Hindu
Europe
Artist whose work addresses art world access is not in Basel—because his visa was denied. The Art Newspaper
No more passport stamps: EU's new entry/exit system explained. Travel + Leisure
Schengen visa drama: Austrian embassy rejects, then approves after email appeal. Financial Express
UK replaces passport stickers with eVisas for some: What you need to know if you're planning your travel. The Economic Times
Visa policy: Council and European Parliament secure a deal on rules about the suspension of visa-free travel for third countries. European Council
Middle East
Foreign governments seek emergency exits for nationals stranded in Iran and Israel. The Washington Post
Multiple continents
Apple to launch digital passport support with iOS 26 this autumn. Identity Week
Drone aimed at US consulate in Erbil downed. The Times of Israel
French MP authorized to travel to US after initial visa rejection. Politico Europe
Is Trump planning an ‘Africa visa ban’? Al Jazeera
London police charge seven Iranians with assault after embassy incident. Reuters
Protest erupts at US Consulate in Hyderabad for backing Israel; several detained. The Siasat Daily
Rwandan immigrant accused of lying on visa paperwork to get into the US after helping in African nation’s genocide. The Independent
U.S. Embassy unable to evacuate its citizens from Israel. Kazinform
UK denies Julius Malema's visa application - here's everything we know so far. IOL
US starts evacuating some diplomats from its embassy in Israel as Iran conflict intensifies. The Associated Press
Oceania and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Armenia completes acquisition of new building for embassy in Brussels. Armenpress
Egypt: Italy puts historic former consulate in Cairo up for sale. Agenzia Nova
France ready for joint Arctic exercises, will open consulate says Macron during visit to Greenland. High North News
Germany turned down North Korean offer to reopen embassy in Pyongyang. NK News
Morocco inaugurates new consulate in Miami. Yabiladi
Morocco opens new consulate in Mantes-la-Jolie, France. Morocco World News
Nepal begins process to establish Consulate General in Dallas. Khabarhub
US Embassy damaged by Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv. Newsweek
US weighs in with concerns over China’s proposed ‘super-embassy’ in London. The Guardian
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
Academic fraud: Students with fake degrees clear US, UK visa interviews; caught at Hyderabad airport. Times of India
Case against 7 linked to fraudulent passport syndicate postponed. Eyewitness News
FG suspends correctional officers over passport scam. Punch
Folsom man sentenced to 15 months in prison for visa fraud - used Indonesian woman as mother’s caregiver. Sierra Sun Times
Man fined $1.2m after applying for passport in different names. Jamaica Observer
More arrests as passport fraud syndicate unravels in Durban. The Witness
Passport scam is targeting rushed travelers with fake government websites. WCPO
Police arrest a member of Indian visa fraud gang. Daily Sun
Suspect involved in human smuggling and visa fraud arrested in Mansehra. Associated Press of Pakistan
U.S. Embassy cautions Ghanaians against visa fraud and fixers. GBC Ghana Online
US introduces new visa restrictions for government officials facilitating illegal immigration. The Economic Times
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.
- ).
Schengen visa is costing Africans more than money (by
).South Africa considers closing Israeli embassy (by
).- ).
What happened last week in Venezuela? Consular relations with Panama will return (by
).
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.