Policy & RulesState Dept.#Entry & visa issuance#Enforcement & fraud

State Department Announces Visa Restrictions on South African Officials Over Race Discrimination

Published Sep 15, 2026

The U.S. Department of State announced a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act targeting foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures, and incitement of violence in South Africa. The policy follows Executive Order 14204 and reflects continued U.S. concern over the South African government's response to these issues.

Key points

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on September 15, 2026.
The restrictions target foreign nationals responsible for or complicit in enacting or implementing laws or policies enabling uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, or incitement of violence against minority groups in South Africa.
The legal basis is Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the Secretary of State to deem inadmissible individuals whose entry would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences.
Certain family members of targeted individuals may also be subject to these restrictions.
The action is tied to President Trump's Executive Order 14204 addressing actions by the Republic of South Africa.

Who is affected

Foreign nationals, and potentially their family members, deemed responsible for or complicit in race-based discrimination, land seizures, or incitement of violence in South Africa.

What to do

Individuals who may be affected should review their circumstances in light of the policy and may wish to consult an immigration attorney.

Full text

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Announcement of New Visa Restriction Policy Targeting Foreign Nationals Involved in Race-Based Discrimination and Incitement of Imminent Violence, as well as Uncompensated Land Seizures in South Africa

Press Statement

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

September 15, 2026

As stated in President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14204, “Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa,” the United States remains gravely concerned about racially motivated crime and government-sponsored discrimination occurring against the Afrikaners and other minority populations in South Africa, including race-based discriminatory legislation, threats of land expropriation without compensation, and incitement of racial violence through dehumanizing chants and slogans.

The South African government has not adequately addressed the previously laid out concerns and so today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act targeting foreign nationals who are responsible for, or complicit in, the enactment or implementation of laws or policies that enable uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination, and/or the incitement of imminent violence against members of minority ethnic or racial groups in South Africa. The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked. These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and they are incompatible with the pillars of America’s foreign policy.

We once again strongly urge the South African government to quickly address these egregious actions.

This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorizes the Secretary of State to render inadmissible any alien whose entry into the United States “would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.” Certain family members may also be covered by these restrictions.