Refugee Processing on Hold, Immigrant Visas Handled in Nairobi as U.S Clarifies Policy Scope

The United States Embassy in Kampala has clarified that certain visa categories are either processed outside Uganda or currently paused, underscoring the global scope of recent U.S. immigration measures.

Speaking at a media briefing, Consular Section Chief Tania J. Romanoff said immigrant visa interviews are not conducted at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala. Instead, those applications are handled at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

“We don’t actually interview immigrant visas here in Kampala. Those are handled in Nairobi,” Romanoff said, noting that immigrant visa interviews are continuing there.

She also confirmed that refugee visa processing is currently on hold worldwide, except for limited categories of nationalities. The suspension is not specific to Uganda.

“Regarding refugees, there is a hold right now on refugee visa applications, so they are not interviewing refugees at the moment,” she explained, adding that the pause applies globally rather than targeting any single country.

The clarification comes amid questions about the broader direction of U.S. visa policy and whether recent directives have affected application volumes from Uganda. While specific issuance figures for 2025 were not immediately available, embassy officials indicated they would review and share data where possible.

Romanoff emphasized that visa compliance remains central to U.S. policy, particularly where concerns arise about individuals overstaying or changing their declared purpose of travel.

“When individuals enter the country for one purpose but then do something else or do not depart when they say they’re going to depart, that’s obviously a security concern,” she said.

Under U.S. procedure, travelers are informed at the port of entry by Customs and Border Protection officers how long they are authorized to stay. Tourists and business travelers may receive stays of one to six months, while students are admitted for the duration of their academic status.

Officials say these distinctions are designed to balance access with enforcement, ensuring that legitimate travelers can continue to move while compliance mechanisms remain intact.