The Consular Newsletter (May 26 – June 01, 2025)
This week, Ghana’s Washington D.C. embassy shut over internal fraud, while the Trump administration froze student visa appointments worldwide.
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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If you would like to partner with the Center, feel free to get in touch.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Americas
Drag Race’s Aja is seeking legal action after her passport gender gets marked ‘male’. The Tab
Mexican band Grupo Firme cancels US show, saying their visas were suspended by Trump administration. The Associated Press
Supreme Court says Trump for now can revoke immigration parole for 530K migrants. The Washington Post
Trump administration intensifies vetting for all visas linked to Harvard. The Washington Post
Trump administration stops new student visa interviews. NBC News
Asia
Hong Kong to earn HK$104 million yearly from proposed visa, passport fee rise. South China Morning Post
Europe
9 EU states urge migration law rethink at Europe's top court. Deutsche Welle
‘Operation Monaco’: Czech-Slovak docudrama revisits Cold War operation targeting French consulate. The Prague Reporter
French embassy in Moscow's top cop sees mission cut short. Intelligence Online
Russia tells Ukrainians in occupied areas to get Russian passport or leave. CBC
Multiple continents
‘It’s wild’: State Department, others struggle to comprehend Chinese visa plan. Politico
‘They make people too scared’: Chinese students reckon with U.S. visa bans. The New York Times
Australian man arrested in Bali over alleged drug smuggling could face death penalty. SBS News
Embassy closure over visa fraud unnecessary – Asafo-Adjei Ayeh slams govt. Citinewsroom
Embassy scandal: Ghana Embassy in Washington sees visa boom after reopening. GhanaWeb
Former hostage Liri Albag detained at JFK, 'still listed as a hostage' in American systems. The Jerusalem Post
Ghana’s Washington embassy caught in sting after 5‑year, million‑dollar visa scam. The Africa Report
Is a passport still essential for crossing borders? Unveiling the surging legal frameworks and booming global exceptions redefining international travel norms. Travel and Tour World
New visa policies put America first, not China. United States Department of State
PH to provide legal assistance to 11 Pinoys jailed in Nigeria. GMA News Online
Spain's new migration law could block entry for thousands of US students. The Local Spain
US says it will start revoking visas for Chinese students. Reuters
Visa may be revoked if you skip classes': US Embassy warns Indian students. NDTV
Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Closing the U.S. Consulate in Thessaloniki would undermine American strategic interests in Northern Greece. Pappas Post
Florence mayor slams looming closure of US consulate. Wanted in Rome
France to open consular agency in Syunik. Armenpress
El Salvador strengthens ties with Morocco, consulate in Laayoune considered. Yabiladi
Ghana's embassy in Washington reopens today. Modern Ghana
Ghana’s Washington DC embassy closed; staff recalled after special audit. GBC Ghana Online
Israel to open Embassy in Zambia in August. The Tribune
Lavrov visit to Armenia does not resolve matter of opening Russian consulate in Syunik Province either. News Armenia
Thailand opens new consular office in Seoul. The Korea Herald
Tunisian consulate reopens in Benghazi after years of closure. The Libya Observer
US ambassador's residence in Syria reopens as Washington looks to mend ties with Damascus. Euronews
With plans for a new consulate in Sharm el-Sheikh, Russia widens diplomatic reach in Egypt. The New Arab
Yerevan vague on new Russian Consulate in Armenia. Azatutyun
Are you aware of any recent openings or closures of embassies, high commissions, consular posts, or permanent missions? The platform fosters collaboration, so please feel free to use its "Update" feature to suggest any changes: https://arcg.is/1TDPiy1
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
‘Citizens warned against illegal travel agencies’ – Iran embassy after three Indians go missing. The Times of India
‘National security risk’: Afghan visa fraud suspect tied to terrorist group, prosecutors say. Daily Caller
Brandywine man sentenced for federal identity theft and bank, wire, and passport fraud charges. The BayNet
Document fraud syndicates make millions a year, says immigration DG. Free Malaysia Today
FBI warns: fraudsters targeting foreign students with visa scam. Masslive
Fugitive agent trafficking illegal immigrants to US held in passport case. The Times of India
Government vows to seize passports, auction assets of cooperatives fraud accused. The Katmandhu Post
Highlands Park PSL promotion at risk as player is accused of using fake visa documents. Primedia Plus
Interpol issues Silver Notice on India's request, targets ex-French Embassy officer Shubham Shokeen in visa fraud probe. Mint
Sentencing handed down for man accused of visa fraud. Patch
Suspicious operations in exchange for visa issuance for Syrians. Enab Baladi
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.
"Golden visas" explained: what they are and where Taiwan stands (by
).How BLS International is turning bureaucracy into billions (by
).- ).
Trump drops an "iron curtain" for prospective international students headed to the USA (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.
Thank you for your mention.