US Bans Some South Africans From Getting Visas

(South AFrica Flag. Photo by Perkal Promo)

The United States has announced a visa ban targeting certain South African nationals, citing racially motivated crime and government-backed discrimination.

The restrictions affect people who create or enforce laws and policies allowing land to be seized without payment, race-based discrimination and calls for violence against minority ethnic or racial groups.

The State Department said these actions undermine peace, economic stability and the rule of law, and conflict with American foreign policy principles.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the South African government led by the ANC to quickly fix these issues.

In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to address problems affecting Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa.

South Africa rejects Washington's position, arguing that its domestic policies and foreign relations are matters of national sovereignty.

The two countries are already in diplomatic dispute over South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and its ties with BRICS partners.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently met with leaders from Russia, China and Iran during the BRICS Summit in India last week.

South Africa is expected not to be represented at the upcoming G20 Summit in Miami, Florida, due to exclusion by the US government unless there are last-minute changes.