African contestants face exclusion from the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico because US travel restrictions prevent many representatives from securing visas.
US visa limits impact African delegates
Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect on 1 January 2026. This policy suspends several visa categories for nationals of affected countries, BBC reported.
Zimbabwe is one of 19 nations facing these partial US visa limits. The policy blocks most visitor, student, exchange, and immigrant visas. It also tightens other nonimmigrant categories.
Representatives from Zambia and the Republic of Congo have withdrawn from the pageant. The administration expanded restrictions last December to include Zambia and Zimbabwe. It maintained a full suspension of entry for nationals from the Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
Contestants from Zimbabwe and South Sudan are still waiting for visas, Audacy noted. Organizers in South Sudan said the participation of contestant Adut Deng remains uncertain despite months of effort to get approvals. Organizers said, “South Sudan deserves to be seen, heard, and represented.” “Our queen carries the hopes, dreams, beauty, and resilience of a nation,”, according to Audacy.
Contestants struggle to reach Puerto Rico
The 75th edition of the pageant is in Puerto Rico. Since Puerto Rico is a US territory, people visiting are subject to the same US immigration rules and laws as any other US destination, Business Insider Africa stated.
Miss Universe Zimbabwe Roseanna Hall has spent weeks in South Africa trying to get her travel documents. BBC reported she is still having trouble obtaining the visa.
“We have been back and forth, trying to get my visa approved,” Hall said.
“Officially, today is the day I was supposed to be leaving for Puerto Rico for the 75th edition of Miss Universe,” Hall added, BBC reported.
But the journey is delayed. “American visa challenges have delayed that journey, but the fight is not over,” Hall said in a social media post, adding, “After months of preparation, I am not giving up. I remain confident that God who began a good work in me will bring it to completion.”
Former Norton legislator Temba Mliswa asked the Zimbabwean Government to intervene for Hall. Mliswa said he was disappointed Hall is spending time trying to secure a visa instead of preparing for the competition with other participants.
Hall’s participation matters for the country, Mliswa argued in a statement on his X account. “When she walks onto that stage, Zimbabwe walks with her,” he said.
“It is deeply saddening that Rossana Hall, our Miss Universe Zimbabwe representative, finds herself fighting for a visa instead of preparing alongside fellow contestants for the competition in Puerto Rico,” Mliswa said, according to iHarare.
He urged authorities to look for diplomatic solutions. “If special diplomatic facilitation is required, let us explore it. If diplomatic status or a special arrangement can help, let it be considered. We must be prepared to go the extra mile,” Mliswa said.
Organizers confirm pageant withdrawals
The Miss Universe organization in Zambia announced that Pamela Mubanga has withdrawn from the competition. The 25-year-old nurse earned the Miss Universe Zambia title on 8 October, BBC reported.
Travel restrictions prevented her attendance. “She earned her crown, she earned her title, and she deserves the opportunity to represent the nation she proudly serves,” Miss Universe Zambia organizers said.
Mubanga’s situation is linked to the United States’ presidential travel restriction affecting Zambia and other African countries, rather than personal circumstances, the organization said in a statement, BBC reported.
In the Republic of Congo, Georgina Kambongo made history as the country’s first Miss Universe representative.
Pageant events follow this schedule
The competition may feature up to 120 contestants, Audacy reported.
The following events are scheduled for the rest of the month:
- 21 November: National costume competition
- 22 November: Swimsuit and evening gown segments
- 24 November: Pageant finals and crowning of the winner
The final will take place at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, BBC reported.