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Visa Woes Threaten Miss Universe Dreams for African Queens
13 Nov
Summary
- Miss Universe Zimbabwe and others may miss pageant due to US visa issues.
- Zambia withdrew its representative due to US travel restrictions.
- Presidential Proclamation 10998 impacts visa issuance for affected nations.
Several African contestants, including Miss Universe Zimbabwe's Roseanna Hall, are at risk of missing the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. The primary obstacle is the race to secure a US visa, with Hall having yet to obtain hers for the November 24th crowning event. This situation is not isolated; Zambia has already withdrawn its representative, Pamela Mubanga, due to US travel restrictions.
Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, imposes partial US travel restrictions on Zimbabwe and 18 other countries. These measures specifically suspend the issuance of visitor, student, exchange, and immigrant visas, while also limiting other non-immigrant visas.
Mubanga's withdrawal highlights the systemic nature of the problem, as her situation is directly linked to these US presidential travel restrictions rather than personal circumstances. Other African nations are also reportedly facing similar visa challenges, with South Sudan's representative expressing uncertainty about her participation.
Hall has been actively seeking her visa, spending weeks in South Africa. She noted that many of her "African sisters" are experiencing the same predicament, underscoring a widespread issue impacting the participation of contestants from the continent.
