The Consular Newsletter (June 23-29, 2025)
This week, U.S. visa seekers must go public on social media, as Ghana targets corruption in embassies and consulates.
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
Court clears six Moroccans but they remain detained in Somalia. Libyan Express
Americas
Canadian citizen dies in ICE custody, prompting investigation and consular inquiry. KTVL
Concern over social media vetting for US student visas. BBC
H-1B visa dominance has shifted in the US — and not to tech giants. The Economic Times
Hundreds of international doctors due to start medical residencies are in visa limbo. NBC News
Jasmine Crockett fumes over Melania’s ‘Einstein visa’ and shreds the first lady’s modeling career. The Independent
New U.S. visa rule requires applicants to set social media account privacy to public. The Hacker News
Police brave the elements for US Consulate security. The Times of India
Trump administration appeals preliminary injunction blocking entry ban on Harvard visa holders. The Harvard Crimson
Trump's passport policy was lifted, but these Americans are still in the dark. USA Today
TwoSet Violin cancel US concerts over visa issues. The Straits Times
US announces new fentanyl-related visa restriction policy. Reuters
Asia
Political and consular missions condemn violent attack on Afghanistan refugee toddler. Hasht-e Subh Daily
Europe
Consular protection: more and more elderly Swiss are dying abroad. Swissinfo
Why my dog got an EU passport. Town & Country
Oceania and Pacific Islands
A third of Pacific island nation applies for Australian climate change visa. BBC
Multiple continents
Families of detained French citizens in Iran plead for proof of life after prison strike. Reuters
Gradually winding up evacuation exercise after ceasefire: Indian Embassy in Iran. AP7AM
MAE: consular agent with Consulate General of Romania in New York, recalled. Agerpres
Should you ditch your passport and real ID thanks to Apple’s new digital ID? AFAR
U.S. Embassy denies visas to Cuba women's volleyball team. CiberCuba
UK emulates the US; likely to deploy envoy to help, free British citizens held in overseas prisons. EurAsian Times
US Embassy in Qatar orders all Americans to shelter in place amid rising tensions with Iran. New York Post
US visa slot chaos: London applicant sent to Africa. M9 News
Middle East
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Belarus opens Consulate General in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod. BelTA
Century-old former Russian Consulate in Hokkaido reborn as hotel. The Mainichi
Cuba opens Embassy in Seoul and North Korea makes its displeasure known. Korea Economic Institute of America
Indian embassy to open 11 new visa centres across Oman. Times of Oman
Soft launch of Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery in Suva, Fiji. Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
Spain will open a new Consulate General in Cuba as part of its consular improvement strategy. Directorio Cubano
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
‘Avoid this at all costs’: Wisconsin expert highlights dangers of fake passport website scam. TMJ4
Agent who sent man to Russia on fake passport held after 19 yrs. The Tribune
Attempt to get passports with stolen IDs earns Fort Worth man federal prison time. Fox 4 News
DSS-trained airport officials catch Ecuadorian with fake visa attempting ilegal U.S. entry. United States Department of State
Dubai: 21 convicted and fined Dh25.2 million in one of the biggest residency visa fraud schemes. The Times of India
East Ridge man who was acquitted of war crimes to plead guilty to passport fraud. Chattanoogan
Kenyans warned of visa scams as travel demand hits record levels. The Standard
Malawi Embassy in Kenya reported to anti-corruption bureau. Malawi24
Mexican national sentenced in Florida for passport fraud and illegal voting. Hoodline
NC Chief Whip fully confident of 'Visit Visa Scam Probe Committee'. The Rising Nepal
Pakistan cracks down on human smuggling and passport fraud. ARY News
Poonthura woman loses lakhs in Jordan visa scam. The Times of India
Seven in court after passport fraud syndicate busted. Rising Sun
Woman avoids jail for 'extremely serious' passport fraud. Irish Examiner
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.
A frontline memory: the attack on the US Consulate in Herat (by
).Expat field guide to visa vultures and online hall monitors (by
).Mashhad and Afghan Consulate (by
).- ).
The Smart Traveler’s safety checklist: real advice from a pilot flying during the Middle East crisis (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.