The Consular Newsletter (November 24-30, 2025)
This week, the U.S. halted Afghan visas after the National Guard attack in Washington, while Finland plans embassy closures in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
Every week, 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!
A. Announcements
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B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
Afghan Embassy in Belgium: the rights of Afghan women are non-negotiable. Hasht-e Subh Daily
Afghan national accused of shooting 2 National Guardsmen in DC entered US under Biden-era program. New York Post
Biffy Clyro ‘angry’ as visa error delays US tour. BBC
Far-right Israeli lawmaker denied U.S. visa amid recent police investigations. Haaretz
France demands heightened security measures at French Consulate in Jerusalem after Israeli MKs harass staffer. Haaretz
Iran’s IRGC-QF recruits Ugandan to spy on Israel’s African embassies. The Jerusalem Post
Palace, DFA and Ukraine Embassy dismiss Russian claim of US recruiting Filipinos for Ukraine war as ‘fake news’. Asian Journal
State Department ‘immediately’ halts all Afghan passport visas following deadly National Guard attack. Fox News
State Department boosts resources to process business visas for South Koreans. The New York Times
Americas
Anand says Global Affairs cuts won’t harm consular access. CTV News
Green Card interviews end in handcuffs for spouses of U.S. citizens. The New York Times
iPhone users can add passport to digital wallet for TSA screening ahead of holiday travel. KOMO News
The best photographer we know is taking passport photos in Chinatown. CNN
The US will soon photograph Canadians at the border – here’s what travellers need to know. MTL Blog
US imposes visa restrictions on Haitian official accused of supporting gangs. Anadolu Agency
US visa shake-up threatens windpower staffing. Windpower Monthly
Asia
3 Pakistani prisoners repatriated through Wagah border, says high commission. Dawn
All Chinese nationals rescued from severe flooding in southern Thailand. ECNS
China again cautions citizens against Japan visits. Reuters
China denies harassing Indian woman born in disputed border region over ‘invalid’ passport. South China Morning Post
Embassy says Chinese national injured by landmine explosion at Thailand-Cambodia border. CGTN
Europe
UK $3.3 million Investor Visa would stem exodus, lawmakers say. Bloomberg
What will the new UK passport look like? ITV News
Middle East
Iran boycotting World Cup draw citing visa restrictions for soccer officials. The Associated Press
Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
DC’s abandoned foreign embassies have stories to tell about the state of world politics. Tag24
Facts and figures about the newly opened US Embassy in CDMX: a perspective from our CEO. Mexico News Daily
Korean Consulate among buildings, cars and people attacked by crowbar-wielding suspect in Seattle. Northwest Asian Weekly
Moroccan Sahrawis request Mauritanian Consulate in Laayoune. Morocco World News
Russia to close Polish consulate in Siberia in row over railway sabotage. Reuters
Singapore to open embassy in Addis Ababa as ties with Ethiopia grow. Inquirer
Towards the opening of a Haitian Embassy in Ethiopia. Haiti Libre
Trump team warned over London’s Chinese super-embassy. The Spectator World
US to inaugurate new Consulate General in northern Iraq. Iraqi News
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
Bahamian national indicted for illegal voting, passport fraud in Florida. Carribean National Weekly
Cybercriminals demand passports and selfies: how to protect your data. 112
Fake degrees, political pressure: US diplomat exposes fraud in H-1B visa programme0 India Today
Hyd key centre for H1B document frauds, alleges US diplomat. The Hans India
Police probe visa fraud allegations against travel agency. Premium Times
RLI: Romania has uncovered a scheme issuing passports to Russians. The Odessa Journal
Two Bangladeshis held at Ahmedabad airport with fraudulently obtained Indian passports. Gujarat Samachar
Visa fraud: UK imposes 10-year ban on over 1000 Ghanaian applicants. Business Insider Africa
F. Honorary consuls
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
G. Current honorary consul jobs
Access jobs: link
H. Perspectives
America should use visa and citizenship programs to lure Europe’s best and brightest (by
)Canada lifts visa requirement for Qatari citizens (by
)Did Somali tribal warfare pick the Mayor of Minneapolis? (by
)Hollow empire: how I will exploit Japan Inc.’s new visa barriers (by
)I’m not crazy after all! And the long road to a visa extension in Sri Lanka (by
)Izzat, shame, and why nonwhite immigrants don’t belong in America (by
)Leadership camp at the Embassy (by
)Liberals’ immigration mess is by design (by
)Measuring the harm done by college work visa programs (by
)National security meltdown: Indians now guard America’s secrets — and sell them to China (by
)Somalia’s e-visa hack: breach can happen, but silence is avoidable (by
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The talent crisis: brain drain and the war for legal expertise in Africa (By
)Trump’s immigration visa restrictions: what’s being proposed and what it means (by
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Wednesday’s early bird: US warns NZ of migration ‘risk’ (by
)What nobody tells you about growing old in Italy (by
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I. Get daily news
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Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.
Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.
J. Supporting consular research
The Consular Affairs Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.
Incubating partner: Yonsei University.
Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. If you are a media professional wishing to contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.
The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.