Obtaining a U.S. visa has become increasingly difficult in 2025, especially for citizens of certain African and Central Asian countries, according to a new study by Brooks Law Firm.
The report highlights a sharp rise in visa refusal rates tied to stricter immigration policies reinstated during former President Donald Trump’s second term. Researchers analyzed denial patterns using U.S. State Department data and international passport indexes collected between January and March.
Rwanda Tops List of Most-Affected Countries
Rwanda was ranked as the country facing the toughest U.S. visa approval process, followed by Algeria, Guinea and Uzbekistan. The study attributes Rwanda’s high refusal rates to a combination of political concerns, economic hardship and suspicions of potential immigration violations.
“Visa access is no longer treated as an entitlement, but as a privilege granted only under increasingly stringent conditions,” the report states.
“I spent $405 and waited three months, only to be denied without any explanation,” said Aimée Uwizeye, a Rwandan businesswoman who applied for a visitor visa to attend a conference in New York. “It feels like they had already made up their minds.”
The analysis considered factors such as the number of green cards issued per 100,000 citizens, passport strength and immigration-related search trends. High denial rates were often linked to weak economic conditions, political instability or past visa misuse.
In Guinea, low passport rankings and widespread poverty have contributed to concerns that applicants might not return. Burundi’s ongoing political turbulence and underdevelopment also play a role, while Senegalese applicants are often rejected for vague travel purposes or inadequate financial documentation despite good bilateral relations with Washington.
Immigration attorneys say the reintroduction of hardline policies has reshaped the way applications are processed.
“There’s definitely more skepticism toward applicants from developing nations,” said Lisa Brooks, lead attorney at Brooks Law Firm. “Even legitimate travelers are being treated as potential overstayers.”
Uzbekistan, Gambia, and Benin Also Struggle
Uzbekistan, the only non-African nation in the top 10, has a 64.41% visa refusal rate. Gambia and Benin also feature prominently, with the U.S. government flagging high overstay rates and past visa fraud among common reasons for denial.
Uganda and Kenya Face Rising Barriers
Ugandan applicants frequently fail to demonstrate strong home ties, a key factor in nonimmigrant visa evaluations. Meanwhile, Kenya has one of the highest rates of immigration-related online searches, but still faces a 63.32% refusal rate due to what officials describe as incomplete documentation and unclear travel intentions.
Growing Unease Across the Continent
For many African professionals, students and families, the tightening of visa policies signals a broader shift in U.S. engagement.
“It’s disheartening,” said Andrew Oyamu, a Kenyan recently denied a study visa. “We’re made to feel like suspects, not guests.”
The report concludes that while the U.S. remains a top destination, the road to getting there is narrowing especially for citizens from vulnerable or politically unstable regions.
