US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions on South African officials on 16 September 2026, citing land expropriation and race-based policies. Image: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
The US visa ban on South Africa took effect on 16 September 2026 after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced restrictions on South African officials. He cited South Africa’s land expropriation law, affirmative action policies and violent crimes against white farmers. The measures target officials the State Department deems complicit in what Washington calls “government-sponsored discrimination.” In addition, the restrictions may extend to their immediate family members. “The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked,” Rubio said.
Specifically, the Trump administration pointed to three issues. The first is South Africa’s land expropriation law. It allows the state to seize unused private land without compensation in certain circumstances. The second is affirmative action policies that advance opportunities for Black South Africans. The third is violent crimes against white minority communities, including attacks on farmers. As a result, Rubio accused South African officials of allowing “uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination and the incitement of violence against minority ethnic and racial groups.” Consequently, the State Department said it will revoke existing US visas or deny new applications for officials it holds responsible. The US visa ban on South Africa does not name specific individuals at this stage.
In response, the South African government firmly rejected the allegations. The foreign ministry noted “with concern” the visa restrictions. Furthermore, it described them as consistent with “the mischaracterization of South Africa’s domestic policies by fringe groups.” Officials denied all claims of discrimination as baseless. Meanwhile, South Africa recently appointed Roelf Meyer, an Afrikaner, as its ambassador to the United States. Observers therefore read this as a diplomatic signal to counter the narrative of anti-Afrikaner discrimination.
The visa ban marks the latest escalation in a prolonged dispute between Washington and Pretoria. Previously, the Trump administration rescinded South Africa’s invitation to the G20 summit. It also moved to resettle Afrikaners as refugees in the United States. In addition, it threatened to end PEPFAR funding over political differences. Nevertheless, South Africa has consistently pushed back and denied the underlying allegations. As a result, the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated sharply. The visa restrictions therefore signal that Washington intends to apply further pressure. The South African government has not indicated it plans to change its domestic policies in response.
The State Department did not name the specific officials subject to the restrictions at the time of publication.