AFRICAN MISS UNIVERSE CONTESTANTS FACE VISA DELAYS AS ZAMBIA WITHDRAWS

Several African contestants risk missing this year’s Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico because of difficulties obtaining US visas.

Zimbabwe’s representative, Roseanna Hall, said she had spent weeks in South Africa trying to secure approval to travel to the US territory.

“We have been back and forth, trying to get my visa approved,” she said in an Instagram video.

Contestants began arriving on November 8 for registration, fittings and other activities ahead of the final on November 24.

Zambia has already withdrawn its representative, Pamela Mubanga, citing US travel restrictions.

The country’s Miss Universe organisation said the withdrawal was linked to the restrictions rather than problems with Mubanga’s documents or personal circumstances.

Mubanga, a 25-year-old registered nurse, was crowned Miss Universe Zambia on October 8.

The organisation said contestants from five other African countries faced similar difficulties, although it did not identify them.

South Sudan’s representative also expressed uncertainty, commenting on Hall’s video that her chances of attending were “50/50.”

Zimbabwe is among the countries affected by partial US travel restrictions introduced in January 2026.

Hall said she remained hopeful despite missing her planned departure date.

“I am not alone in this predicament. Some of my African sisters are facing the same predicament,” she said.

The 75th Miss Universe final is scheduled for the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.