US temporarily bans visas for Burundian nationals over 'repeated violations'

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – The US has temporarily suspended visas for Burundian nationals due to "repeated violations" of visa conditions, the US Embassy in Burundi announced Monday.

"Sadly, due to repeated violations, US visas for Burundians are temporarily banned," the embassy said in a statement on X.

The embassy cited collective responsibility as the primary reason for the visa ban, stating: "Every Burundian who travels carries the hopes of their family and community. Respecting visa rules is not just personal, it is national."

It warned that individual actions affect the entire nation, adding: "Let us uphold the rules, because one person's actions can close doors for an entire nation."

In June, the US added Burundi to its Partial Suspension of Entry list, citing overstay rates of 15.35% for B-1/B-2 visas and 17.52% for F, M, and J visas.

The suspension impacts immigrants and nonimmigrants in specific visa categories, while it encourages consular officers to reduce the validity periods for other nonimmigrant visas.

Other countries facing partial suspension include Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The US maintains full entry suspensions for 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen.