US visa news: In 2025, obtaining a US visa has become particularly difficult for citizens from several countries, with Rwanda topping the list. According to a study by Brooks Law Firm, highlighted by Irish Star, immigration policies under Donald Trump’s second presidential term have tightened significantly, making visa approvals harder than ever.
Key factors behind visa denials
The Brooks Law Firm study assessed visa refusal rates, passport strength, green cards issued per 100,000 citizens, and immigration-related online searches. Data was collected between January and March 2025 from official US sources and passport indexes. The findings suggest that US authorities now view visas strictly as a privilege, not an entitlement. A higher score indicates more severe immigration challenges for a country. The data was gathered from official US government records, passport rankings, and search analytics between January and March 2025.
Top 10 countries facing highest US visa challenges
1. Rwanda:
Rwanda ranks as the hardest country to immigrate from, facing severe visa refusal rates due to concerns over political issues, economic hardships, and potential immigration violations.
2. Algeria:
Algerian applicants often struggle due to historical visa overstays, national security concerns, and difficulties in proving strong ties to their home country.
3. Guinea:
Guinea’s fragile economy and weak passport power lead to high refusal rates, with U.S. officials fearing applicants may not return.
4. Burundi:
Political instability and low development levels in Burundi contribute to extremely high denial rates, with worries about asylum claims.
5. Senegal:
Despite good diplomatic ties, Senegalese applicants often face refusals because of unclear travel purposes and insufficient financial documentation.
6. Uzbekistan:
The only non-African country on the list, Uzbekistan faces a 64.41% visa refusal rate, with economic challenges and past visa misuse weighing heavily against applicants.
7. Gambia:
Past visa fraud and high rates of overstaying make Gambian applicants high-risk in the eyes of US immigration authorities.
8. Benin:
Benin’s economic struggles and previous visa violations create major hurdles for its citizens seeking entry to the US
9. Uganda:
Ugandan applicants often fail to demonstrate strong home ties, leading to a high number of visa denials.
10. Kenya:
Kenya records the highest number of immigration-related searches but still faces a tough approval process, with a 63.32% refusal rate.
Broader visa restrictions for African countries
In 2025, African nations were once again excluded from the US Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, visas for South Sudanese citizens were revoked, and future entries were banned, following deportation disputes.