The Consular Newsletter (June 30 – July 13, 2025)
Artists cancel U.S. shows over visa hurdles, as airstrikes damage the Chinese Consulate General in Odesa.
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
Govt vows to eradicate corruption in diplomatic missions. Ghanaian Times
Kenyan workers sue South Sudan embassy over unpaid salaries. Radio Tamazuj
Morocco revamps consular network, assigns 45% of posts to women. Yabiladi
Americas
America has pulled off the impossible. It made getting a passport simple. The Wall Street Journal
CIO at State Dept.’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is stepping down. MeriTalk
Colombian foreign minister resigns amid passport printing row. Reuters
New US directive for visa applicants turns social media feeds into political documents. The Conversation
The desperate drive to secure passports for thousands of US-born Haitian kids – before it’s too late. The Guardian
Trump admin announces major visa restrictions for four countries. Newsweek
Trump’s $5 million ‘gold card’ visa might never happen. The Washington Post
U.S. travelers embrace new online passport renewal system. Black Enteprise
US-Cuba: when sports depend on your passport. Havana Times
Asia
India, Pakistan exchange lists of civilian prisoners, fishermen under 2008 consular agreement. Greater Kashmir
Supreme Court agrees to hear plea challenging pricing for consular passport & visa services provided by third-party vendors. LiveLaw
Europe
CCOO formally requests Foreign Ministry to conduct a psychosocial risk assessment at the 45 consulates with the highest workload. The Diplomat in Spain
Harris English's caddie denied visa to U.K. ahead of Open Championship. ESPN
Moscow demands access to Russian basketball player held in France. The Straits Times
Poland claims consular section of Kyiv embassy damaged in Russian airstrike. Anadolu Agency
Showpo CEO Jane Lu reveals she was scammed on Paris work trip days after passport debacle. News Australia
Sincerely confused by mixed messages over UK passport. The Royal Gazette
Oceania and Pacific Islands
Kanye West’s Australian visa revoked over ‘Heil Hitler’ song, official says. Los Angeles Times
Multiple continents
A day after Russia hits Chinese Consulate, Chinese parts found in drones attacking Kyiv. United24 Media
Claims and counterclaims: who is right in the fraud case at Ghana’s Washington D.C. mission? Modern Ghana
Costa Rican lawmaker says the US revoked her visa over alleged ties to Chinese Communist Party. The Associated Press
Indians in capsule, Americans in 5-star hotels: does a passport decide your comfort? Woman's viral video sparks debate. The Economic Times
Obstruction and disorder at Afghanistan’s Consulate in Munich: citizens complain of corruption and mismanagement. Hasht-e Subh Daily
State Department bans visas for English punk duo Bob Vylan after Glastonbury performance. NBC News
State Department official defends canceling visas of pro-Palestinian academics. Politico
US consulate faces ‘increasing’ difficulty finding event venues as hosts cite gov’t pressure, diplomat says. Hong Kong Free Press
Middle East
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Bahrain prepares to reopen its embassy in Beirut. The National
Belarus’ Consulate General in St. Petersburg opens in new building. BelTA News Agency
Belarusian embassy building in Moscow to be restored. BelTA News Agency
China's London super-embassy. The Week
Ecuador opens first embassy in Morocco, marks new era in bilateral ties. Morocco World News
Finland’s new Consulate General in Houston to open on 1 July 2025. Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israel to open first embassy in Estonia, Sa’ar announces on Baltic visit. The Times of Israel
Korça, the new building of the Consulate General of Greece is inaugurated, the Foreign Ministers of both countries are present. A2 CNN
Meet the Canadian fighting France for $30 million in unpaid embassy rent in Iraq. The Canadian Jewish News
Russia orders closure of Polish Consulate in Kaliningrad. The Moscow Times
Saudi Arabia : 40 embassies and $25 billion pledged to Africa. Africa News Agency
Somalia to make a grand opening for the New Somali Embassy building in Pretoria, South Africa during Independence Week. Horn Observer
Switzerland reopens embassy in Tehran, resumes mediating role between US and Iran. The Voice of Vietnam
U.S. Consulate in Florence to remain open. The Florentine
U.S. Embassy in Iran, shuttered for decades, echoes deep distrust. CBS News
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
A KGB network in Romania was helping Russians obtain passports to infiltrate the European Union. The Odessa Journal
BBB: watch out for questionable passport websites. WBRC 6 News
Better Business Bureau alleges passport, visa website misleads customers. Atlanta News First
California man detained by ICE after overstaying visa for seven years. Newsweek
Chinese man caught using fraudulent Mexican passport at Don Mueang. Khaosod English
Congressional committee examines visa security and immigration fraud. FAIR
Malaysia high commission warns expats over fake passport services. The Business Standard
Nephew of foreign affairs minister imprisoned in visa fraud case. Africa Intelligence
Pakistan uncovers fake visa network in Islamabad involving Afghan nationals. Ariana News
Police seize 132 original passports from fraud gang. The Times of India
To continue on the website.
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.
Britain's visa-for-fees scandal (by
).China’s new London “super embassy”: soft power hub or security risk? (by
).Is this about love or a passport? (by
).Keep your passport on your wall! (by
).Surprise, Trump’s tacky ‘Golden Visa’ will be available two weeks from ... never? (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.