US visa refusals keep Zimbabwe, Nepal and Pakistan fellows out of Utah event

US officials refused visa applications from participants in Nepal, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe who were planning to attend a religious freedom gathering in Utah this month, the First Freedom Foundation said. Of 18 fellows who tried to travel, only nine were able to attend.

Key facts

• 18 fellows tried to attend the Utah gathering; nine were able to travel
• Visa applications were turned down for participants in Nepal, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe
• The fellows are part of a group of 36 fellows from 30 countries
• The wider online community has 1,200 people in 79 countries
• The gathering took place in Utah in October 2026

Who was affected?

The First Freedom Foundation has run a programme connecting religious freedom advocates worldwide since its 2023 Global Youth Summit for Freedom of Religion or Belief. A subset of 36 fellows from 30 countries has met regularly online for peacemaking training and collaborations.

Eighteen of those fellows tried to attend the gathering in Utah. Participants in Nepal, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe had their visa applications turned down by US officials, leaving only nine able to attend.

What happened at the gathering?

The fellows who travelled visited the Utah Islamic Center, the Congregation Kol Ami synagogue, the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple, the Church of God and the Cathedral of the Madeleine. They attempted to visit a Buddhist temple, which was closed, and attended the G20 Interfaith Forum.

The group also attended general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on 4 October 2026.

What this means for travellers

The source describes visa refusals for participants from five countries planning to attend a specific event in Utah. Travellers from Nepal, Pakistan, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe planning US trips should be aware that visa applications can be refused, and should check current US visa requirements before making travel arrangements.

The source does not state the reasons for the refusals, the type of visa applied for, or whether the affected participants can reapply.

The First Freedom Foundation hopes to release a web series based on video footage gathered this autumn showing the cross-faith friendships formed during the visit.