Miss Universe visa controversy: Zambia, Republic of Congo crown winners fail to secure visa, contestants from other countries wait for Puerto Rico pageant event

Representatives from Zambia and the Republic of Congo have withdrawn from Miss Universe pageant, which takes place this month in the U.S. territory Puerto Rico, after failing to secure visas. Contestants from South Sudan and Zimbabwe are still awaiting theirs. This comes months after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the U.S. despite having a valid visa, during FIFA World Cup 2026 held in the US, Mexico, Canada earlier this year.

The 75th edition of Miss Universe is expected to attract up to 120 contestants. Delegates began arriving in Puerto Rico on Sunday for rehearsals and other preliminary activities. A national costume competition is scheduled for November 21, followed by swimsuit and evening gown segments the following day. The winner will be crowned on November 24, AP reported.

There were similar concerns over visa issues that clouded the buildup to the soccer World Cup as FIFA said it could not interfere immigration decisions to host nations. concerns over visa issues that have clouded the buildup to the World Cup, saying soccer's governing body could not dictate immigration decisions to host nations, Reuters reported.


FIFA ​failed to make good on its promise of the "most inclusive" World Cup, the Sport & Rights ‌Alliance alleged then, citing strict U.S. visa policies that shut out many fans and workers even as the tournament welcomed more teams.

The United States has imposed sweeping travel restrictions affecting dozens of countries, many of them in Africa, under proclamations issued during Donald Trump’s second administration. Last December, the administration expanded restrictions to additional countries, including Zambia and Zimbabwe, while maintaining a full suspension of entry for nationals of the Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

“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 in a statement this week announcing the withdrawal of their representative, Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka.

In the Republic of Congo, Georgina Kambongo made history when she was crowned the Central African country’s first Miss Universe representative. National organizers say her inability to travel to Puerto Rico is linked solely to Trump’s travel restrictions.

“American visa challenges have delayed that journey, but the fight is not over,” Zimbabwe’s representative, Roseanna Hall, said in a social media post. “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.”

In South Sudan, organizers said contestant Adut Deng’s participation remained uncertain despite months of efforts to secure the necessary travel documents and approvals.