US Visa Rules Bar DR Congo Entry to Miss Universe in Puerto Rico

The 75th Miss Universe pageant is under way in Puerto Rico, but several national queens will not be on stage for the main competition on 20 November. Contestants from the Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Nepal have pulled out over US visa problems, while Bulgaria and Austria are missing for health reasons.

Organisers initially announced 119 contestants for this year's edition. Queens began arriving in Puerto Rico on Wednesday, and the event closes on 20 November. The Miss Universe organisation has said it has a list of contestants at the venue but has not commented on those who are absent.

Key facts

• The 75th Miss Universe pageant is being held in Puerto Rico, with the main competition on 20 November.
• 119 contestants were announced when the line-up was first confirmed.
• About five countries have released statements explaining why their representatives are not attending.
• Reasons given include visa problems, illness, a car crash and mental and physical health concerns.
• Puerto Rico is a United States territory, and some of the visa problems stem from that status.

Which countries are missing contestants?

Republic of the Congo. The national organisation withdrew its reigning queen, Georgina Kambongo, saying it had tried everything possible. It attributed the decision to a 9 June 2025 travel ban that stops all new US visas for Congolese passport holders, and said other African countries including Angola, Zimbabwe and Zambia are affected by the restrictions. The organisation added that the Puerto Rico government also tried to intervene without success.

Zimbabwe. Roseanna Hall said in a video statement on Sunday that she had been in South Africa and was due to travel to Puerto Rico that day, but US visa difficulties stopped her. She said other African contestants faced the same problem, and that the Zimbabwean government was helping so she could still travel.

South Sudan. Adut Deng said visa restrictions and circumstances beyond her control prevented her from travelling to the final, adding that she still hopes to appear on the Miss Universe stage for South Sudan one day.

Nepal. Prayashna Gurung announced on Sunday that she was dropping out because of visa requirements that could not be met. She said the team had only one month to prepare, and confirmed she will represent Nepal at Miss Universe 2027.

Bulgaria. Ana-Maria is not in a physical condition to take part in the finals after a car crash, the national organisation said on Saturday. It did not say how serious the accident was and asked for privacy, while fans have called for the runner-up to be sent instead.

Austria. Victoria Amerson withdrew on Saturday to protect her mental and physical health, citing pressure, lack of personal autonomy and control, and stress that caused a previously controlled illness to flare up again.

Why are visas a problem for Puerto Rico?

Some of the visa difficulties arise because Puerto Rico is a United States territory, so US entry rules apply to contestants travelling there. The organisers of the Republic of Congo's entry said the restrictions also affected other African nationalities. Visa problems were not unique to this pageant: during the World Cup in June, some teams were unable to camp in the United States.

What this means for travellers

Anyone planning travel to Puerto Rico should check the United States entry and visa rules that apply to their passport before booking, since the territory follows US requirements. Nationals of countries named in the restrictions, including the Republic of the Congo, may find new US visa applications are not being issued.

The pageant ends on 20 November. The Miss Universe organisation has not said whether any withdrawn contestant will be replaced.