Zambia withdraws from Miss Universe over US travel restrictions

Roseanna Hall is not the only African contestant to be affected by US visa restrictions Photo: Roseanna Hall

Zambia has withdrawn its representative, Pamela Mubanga, from the 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant following US travel restrictions affecting nationals of the southern African country.

Mubanga, 25, a registered nurse, was crowned Miss Universe Zambia on October 8 and was expected to represent the country at the international competition scheduled to hold in Puerto Rico on November 24.

However, the Miss Universe Zambia organisation announced her withdrawal, explaining that the situation resulted from US government travel restrictions rather than personal circumstances or organisational challenges.

As reported by the BBC on Friday, in a statement, the organisation said the restrictions had affected Zambia and several other African countries.

“Unlike situations where a contestant’s visa is denied due to personal circumstances, documentation or organisational challenges, Mubanga’s situation is linked to the United States’ presidential travel restriction affecting Zambia and other African countries,” the statement read.

The organisation also disclosed that five other African countries were experiencing similar difficulties, although it did not identify them.

Meanwhile, Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Roseanna Hall, is also facing uncertainty over her participation in the competition as she struggles to secure a US visa.

Hall, who is expected to represent Zimbabwe at the pageant, said she had been making repeated attempts to obtain approval for her travel documents.

In a video shared on Instagram, she revealed that she had spent several weeks in South Africa trying to secure the visa.

“Officially, today is the day I was supposed to be leaving for Puerto Rico for the 75th edition of Miss Universe,” she said.

Hall added that she was not the only African contestant facing the challenge, expressing solidarity with other participants affected by the restrictions.

“I am not alone in this predicament. Some of my African sisters are facing the same predicament, and I know exactly what they are going through,” she said.

The Miss Universe South Sudan representative also expressed uncertainty about her participation, commenting on Hall’s Instagram video: “It is 50/50 whether we will make it, Miss Universe.”

Zimbabwe is among 19 countries affected by partial US travel restrictions introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on January 1, 2026.

The measures suspend the issuance of certain visitor, student, exchange and immigrant visas to nationals of affected countries, while imposing restrictions on other categories of non-immigrant visas.

The visa challenges come as contestants arrive in Puerto Rico for registration, fittings and other activities ahead of the competition.

The 75th Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to hold at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with the winner expected to be crowned on November 24.