South Africans face new US visa restrictions as tension over race policies intensifies

On Tuesday, the United States announced new visa restrictions for South Africans following President Donald Trump's frequent criticism of the nation's post-apartheid racial justice policies. Trump has harshly condemned South Africa's land and employment laws, which aim to address the persistent inequalities faced by black citizens three decades after apartheid ended.

In 2025, Trump publicly rebuked President Cyril Ramaphosa over his assertions of a fabricated "white genocide" in South Africa. The administration has also imposed high tariffs and boycotted a G20 summit held in Johannesburg.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the visa restrictions would target individuals promoting "race-based discrimination, inciting violence, or enabling land confiscation without compensation" in South Africa. The announcement did not explicitly name any targeted individuals. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed office last year, with the US leader slashing aid, expelling the South African ambassador, and offering refuge to white South Africans fleeing alleged persecution.

Although the president has implemented an overall immigration crackdown, he also established a special program that facilitated the resettlement of thousands of Afrikaners in the United States.

In response to the visa restrictions, South Africa announced the introduction of a "generous" new trade deal with the United States to circumvent imminent tariffs that could result in job losses.