Visa delays at Puerto Rico pageant signal U.S. entry hurdles for Venezuela travelers

The 75th Miss Universe competition began in Puerto Rico at the weekend with two weeks of events leading to the final gala in San Juan, but U.S. visa restrictions and a dispute over who controls the pageant's national franchises have already reduced the line-up.

Key facts

• The final takes place on Tuesday, 24 November at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan.
• The U.S. State Department lists Zambia and Zimbabwe among countries under a partial suspension of visa issuance, including visitor visas, since 1 January.
• Six Southeast Asian countries — Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos — are not competing.
• The national costume show is set for 21 November and the preliminary competition for 22 November.
• In the U.S., the final airs live on Telemundo and streams on Peacock from 7 p.m. ET.

Why are some delegates missing?

Pageant organisers in Zambia confirmed that Mubanga Pamela Hatyoka would miss the competition after efforts to secure a U.S. visa failed. Zimbabwe's Roseanna Hall said on Sunday that she was in South Africa and still working to obtain a visa after missing her scheduled departure.

Other contestants withdrew for health and safety reasons. Bulgaria's franchise said Ana-Maria Babau would not attend after being injured in a car crash, Austria's Victoria Amerson announced she was pulling out to protect her mental and physical health, and Saint Martin's Madly Marian also withdrew.

Miss Dominican Republic Melissa Núñez, 28, arrived on Monday after medical clearance to fly. She and Magali Febles, the Dominican franchise's national director, were hurt when their vehicle overturned in Santo Domingo on Friday night; Núñez completed 48 hours of medical observation before doctors cleared her to travel, and organisers said both women were in stable condition.

Why are six Southeast Asian countries absent?

Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos are sitting out the pageant after a dispute over who had the right to license their national franchises. In September, JKN Universe LLC said the licensing agreements were invalid and declared the six delegations ineligible.

Miss Universe East said it held the contractual right to appoint franchise partners. Its chief executive, Thai pageant figure Nawat Itsaragrisil, confirmed in October that the six countries would miss this edition. For Vietnam, it is the first absence since 2014.

What this means for travellers

Anyone travelling to Puerto Rico from Zambia or Zimbabwe on a U.S. visitor visa should note that the U.S. State Department lists both countries as subject to a partial suspension of visa issuance since 1 January, and should check their own visa situation before making plans. Delegations and fans following the pageant can watch the key events on 21, 22 and 24 November.

The competition continues in Puerto Rico ahead of the final on 24 November, when Mexico's Fátima Bosch will crown her successor in San Juan.