Visa Camapaign

Campaign Background

The Visa Justice Campaign was co-launched by the Loss & Damage Youth Coalition (LDYC) and partners following the sixtieth session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) in Bonn, Germany.

During SB60, youth and civil society organisations observed a troubling pattern: entire regions of the Global South were missing from negotiations—not by choice, but due to visa barriers imposed by host-country governments. This exclusion triggered a coordinated, multi-year mobilisation to document visa injustices, support affected delegates, and push for structural reform.

Visa cases referenced in this campaign involve individuals who received official UNFCCC accreditation but faced obstacles when applying for visas to attend host-country negotiations

Report A Case

What the Visa Justice Campaign Does

Our unique approach cuts across 4 major workstream

Document

We systematically document visa-related cases from accredited delegates, tracking denials, delays, lack of appointments, and discriminatory practices across embassies.

Support

We provide direct support to affected delegates, offering guidance, escalation pathways, and coordination with partners to resolve urgent visa challenges.

Document

We systematically document visa-related cases from accredited delegates, tracking denials, delays, lack of appointments, and discriminatory practices across embassies.

Support

We provide direct support to affected delegates, offering guidance, escalation pathways, and coordination with partners to resolve urgent visa challenges.

Advocacy & Bilaterals

We engage host governments, UNFCCC bodies, and diplomatic missions through formal letters, bilateral meetings, and public advocacy.

Public Awareness & Media

Through social media campaigns, reports, and storytelling, we expose visa injustice and mobilise global pressure for reform.

Advocacy & Bilaterals

We engage host governments, UNFCCC bodies, and diplomatic missions through formal letters, bilateral meetings, and public advocacy.

Public Awareness & Media

Through social media campaigns, reports, and storytelling, we expose visa injustice and mobilise global pressure for reform.

ScaryFact

Delegates Affected

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At SB60

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At SB62

ScaryFact

Delegates Affected

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At SB60

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At SB62

Actions Highlights

Since SB60 We have actively engaged within the UNFCCC's Conference of parties and SBs meetings and other related events relevant to Loss and Damage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is visa injustice and why does it matter for climate negotiations?

Visa injustice occurs when accredited delegates—especially youth, Indigenous, and frontline activists from the Global South—are denied visas, face unexplained delays, or are unable to submit applications to attend UN climate negotiations. This exclusion silences those most affected by climate impacts and undermines fair and legitimate climate decision-making.

Who can report a visa case through this campaign?

Any individual or organisation with official UNFCCC accreditation that experienced visa-related obstacles when applying to attend a host-country climate meeting can report a case. This includes visa denials, delayed processing, lack of appointments, or discriminatory treatment by embassies.

How is the information collected through this campaign used?

Reported cases are anonymised where necessary and used to document patterns of visa discrimination, support affected delegates, and strengthen advocacy with host governments, embassies, and UNFCCC institutions. The data also informs public reports and media engagement to demand accountability.

What changes is the Visa Justice Campaign calling for

The campaign calls for timely, accessible, and non-discriminatory visa processes for all accredited delegates, special visa pathways for UNFCCC events, transparent embassy decision-making, and recognition of visa access as a procedural obligation—not a privilege