US Limits Visas for South African Officials Over Alleged Anti-White Discrimination

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 16, 2026

The United States has announced new visa restrictions targeting certain South African nationals whom Washington accuses of being responsible for or supporting policies involving race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures and the incitement of violence against minority ethnic or racial groups.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on September 15, saying the restrictions would apply to foreign nationals involved in the enactment or implementation of policies that meet the criteria outlined by Washington. The policy was issued under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the secretary of state to restrict entry when an individual’s presence could have potentially serious adverse foreign-policy consequences for the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions targeting certain South African nationals.

Washington’s concerns

The U.S. State Department said its concerns include South African legislation and policies relating to land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination and what it describes as incitement of imminent violence against minority groups.

Washington has also raised concerns about violence and crime affecting South Africa’s rural communities and has argued that some policies intended to address racial inequality disproportionately affect the country’s white minority, particularly Afrikaners.

The new policy does not identify specific South African officials who are currently subject to the restrictions. Reuters reported that the announcement instead establishes a framework under which individuals can face visa restrictions based on their involvement in the policies identified by Washington.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the country’s land and racial-equality policies.

Pretoria rejects Washington’s characterization

South Africa has rejected the U.S. government’s characterization of its policies, arguing that measures involving land reform and racial equality are intended to address the economic and social inequalities created by colonialism and apartheid.

South African officials have also disputed claims that white South Africans are being systematically persecuted, saying the country’s laws and policies should be considered within the broader historical context of apartheid and the continuing inequalities that followed it. Reuters reported on September 16 that Pretoria accused Washington of relying on representations that mischaracterize South Africa’s domestic policies.

The new restrictions add to growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Pretoria.

Land reform at the centre of dispute

Land ownership has become one of the most contentious issues in relations between Washington and Pretoria.

The U.S. administration has focused particular attention on South Africa’s policy of allowing land expropriation under certain circumstances without compensation. South African authorities maintain that the policy is part of efforts to address historic land dispossession and does not amount to a general programme of confiscating property from white South Africans.

The disagreement has increasingly affected diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Wider deterioration in US-South Africa relations

The visa restrictions are the latest in a series of disputes between Washington and Pretoria. The Trump administration has previously taken measures affecting U.S.-South Africa relations, including reductions in U.S. assistance and other diplomatic actions.

The two governments have also disagreed over South Africa’s foreign policy, including its legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The latest visa announcement therefore extends a dispute that now encompasses immigration, land policy, racial equality, foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

What happens next?

The U.S. State Department has not publicly released a list of individuals affected by the new restrictions. The policy could therefore have a broader effect than the specific officials who may eventually be identified.

Washington has urged the South African government to address the concerns behind the restrictions, while Pretoria has emphasized its sovereign right to formulate domestic legislation and has called for continued diplomatic engagement.

The announcement marks another escalation in relations between the United States and South Africa, with the practical impact of the new visa policy likely to depend on how Washington applies the restrictions and whether the two governments can resolve their disagreements through diplomatic channels.

Source note: This report is based on the September 15–16, 2026 U.S. State Department announcement and reporting by Reuters and AP. The allegations concerning discrimination are presented as claims by the U.S. administration; South Africa disputes their characterization.