US visa rule threatens African contestants at Miss Universe 2026

At least two African countries will not be represented at the 75th Miss Universe pageant after their contestants failed to obtain the approval required to travel to Puerto Rico.

Zambia and the Republic of the Congo have withdrawn their representatives, while contestants from Zimbabwe and South Sudan remain uncertain about participating in the competition’s grand finale on 24 November.

The difficulties arise from United States entry and visa restrictions affecting several African countries. Puerto Rico is a US territory, meaning contestants travelling there must comply with applicable US immigration requirements.

Nigeria is also among the countries affected by partial restrictions, but its representative, Danielle Adewusi, arrived in San Juan on 9 November and has joined the preliminary activities.

The competition is expected to attract representatives from about 120 countries and territories. Its national costume presentation is scheduled for 21 November, followed by the swimsuit and evening-gown segments on 22 November. The winner will be crowned two days later at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.

The contestants’ difficulties have been linked to Presidential Proclamation 10998, introduced by US President Donald Trump and effective from 1 January 2026.

Under the policy, visa issuance and entry were fully suspended for nationals of 19 countries and partially suspended for nationals of another 19, subject to specified exceptions.

The Republic of the Congo and South Sudan are among the countries facing full restrictions. Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria are in the partial-restriction category.

For nationals of countries under partial restrictions, the affected categories include B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas, F, M and J student or exchange visas, and immigrant visas.

The policy is not an absolute ban on every citizen of the listed countries. Its exceptions include lawful permanent residents, some diplomatic travellers and dual nationals travelling with passports issued by countries not covered by the restrictions.

Despite Nigeria’s inclusion in the partial-restriction category, Ms Adewusi is already participating in the Miss Universe programme.

The Miss Universe Nigeria organisation announced her arrival in Puerto Rico on 9 November and urged Nigerians to support her in the pageant’s voting categories.

Neither Ms Adewusi nor the national organisers publicly stated the immigration basis on which she entered Puerto Rico. Consequently, it remains unclear whether she travelled with a visa issued before the restrictions took effect, an unaffected passport or under another applicable exception.

The 29-year-old medical doctor and King’s College London alumna was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on 27 September after representing Lagos State in the national competition.

She previously placed among the top five at Miss Universe Great Britain in 2023 and leads Scrub the Stigma, a women’s health advocacy initiative.

Zambia withdrew its representative, Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka, after attempts to secure the required travel authorisation proved unsuccessful.

The Miss Universe Zambia organisation said the decision was not connected to any personal failing or organisational shortcoming but to US travel restrictions affecting Zambia.

Ms Hatyoka, a 25-year-old registered nurse, was expected to represent her country at the international competition after winning the national title in October.

The Republic of the Congo also withdrew after its contestant, Georgina Kambongo, was unable to secure permission to travel.

Ms Kambongo was due to make history as the country’s first representative at Miss Universe. National organisers attributed her absence solely to the US restrictions.

Zimbabwe’s Roseanna Hall has continued trying to secure a visa after repeated applications and consultations.

Ms Hall, who pursued the process from South Africa, said she had been expected in Puerto Rico by 8 November for registration, costume fittings and rehearsals.

She acknowledged that she was not the only African contestant facing the challenge and said efforts to secure Zimbabwe’s participation were continuing.

“The fight to get Zimbabwe to Puerto Rico continues,” she wrote in an update shared with her followers.

South Sudan’s representative, Adut Deng, is also awaiting a decision after months of attempts to secure the required travel documents.

Responding to Ms Hall’s account, the Miss Universe South Sudan organisation described its contestant’s chances of reaching the competition as “50/50.”

With the Republic of the Congo and South Sudan under full restrictions and Zambia and Zimbabwe facing partial restrictions, their contestants’ experiences illustrate the policy’s effect on participation in international events held on US soil.

The restrictions do not prevent every national of an affected country from travelling, as Ms Adewusi’s presence in Puerto Rico demonstrates. However, they have made participation dependent on contestants’ existing visa status, nationality, eligibility for an exception or the outcome of an individual application.