Chad suspends visas issuance for USA citizens in retaliation for US travel ban

Chad has announced an immediate suspension of all visa issuance to U.S. citizens, retaliating against Washington’s decision to bar Chadian nationals from entering the United States.

The Central African nation is among 12 countries affected by a travel ban signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited national security concerns as the reason for the policy.

President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno framed Chad’s decision as a matter of “reciprocity and dignity.” In a statement posted on his official Facebook page in French, Déby declared: “I instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to citizens of the United States of America. Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give—but Chad has its dignity and pride.”

The latest U.S. travel restrictions, which apply to seven African countries—Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia—have sparked renewed criticism across the continent, where many view the policy as arbitrary and politically driven.

Chad’s swift and bold response has emerged as one of the most direct diplomatic rebuttals to the U.S. move, signaling growing discontent among African nations over unequal treatment and a lack of mutual respect in global diplomacy.

While the immediate practical impact on American travelers to Chad may be minimal, the symbolic implications are significant. The move has fueled speculation over whether other African countries will follow Chad’s lead.

The U.S. travel policy also imposes partial restrictions on nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, primarily limiting access to temporary work visas. However, it is Chad’s unequivocal stance that has drawn the most international attention.

As a key regional ally in counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, Chad’s role has long been vital to U.S. interests in Central Africa. The escalating diplomatic rift could pose challenges for broader security cooperation in the region.