U.S. Revokes Visas for South Sudanese Passport Holders
Juba, April 6, 2025 – In a significant move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States will revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and will cease issuing new ones, effective immediately. This decision comes in response to South Sudan’s failure to accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner.
Rubio emphasized that every country must accept the return of its citizens when another country seeks to remove them. He accused South Sudan’s transitional government of taking advantage of the United States by not adhering to this principle. The U.S. Department of State will prevent further issuance of visas to South Sudanese passport holders until the African nation fully cooperates with repatriation efforts.
This action highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and South Sudan, which has been struggling with political instability and violence. The United Nations recently warned of a security emergency in South Sudan, urging international leaders to prevent the country from descending into another civil war.
The visa revocation is expected to impact many South Sudanese citizens who rely on travel to the United States for various purposes. This includes many South Sudanese residing in the U.S., especially students, who may face significant disruptions in their education and daily lives. The U.S. government has stated that it will review these actions once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation in accepting the return of its citizens
