By Brenda Mazhambe
The United States has announced an immediate suspension of most routine visa processing at its embassy in Zimbabwe, a move that will affect tourist, student, business, family, and immigrant visa categories.
The suspension, which took effect without prior notice, comes as Washington cites national security and public safety concerns linked to high overstay rates among Zimbabwean visitors. According to U.S. data, holders of B1/B2 visas from Zimbabwe had a 10.57% overstay rate in 2023, equivalent to about 709 individuals who remained in the country beyond their permitted stay.
While diplomatic and official visas remain largely unaffected, the decision leaves hundreds of Zimbabweans with pending appointments stranded, forcing some to consider applying from U.S. embassies in other countries. Students due to begin studies in the United States for the 2025–26 academic year face potential delays, while travel and education agents in Harare report a scramble among clients to salvage plans for graduations, business trips, and family visits.
The visa halt comes amid wider U.S. immigration enforcement measures under the Trump administration, which in June reinstated or tightened travel bans for citizens of 12 countries and warned 36 others, including Zimbabwe, to improve traveller vetting and cooperation on deportations within 60 days or face new restrictions.
In the same policy framework, Malawi and Zambia have been included in a pilot visa bond scheme that will require tourist and business visa applicants to post bonds of between US$5,000 and US$15,000, refundable if they depart on time.
For now, there is no timeline for the resumption of normal visa services in Harare, leaving affected Zimbabweans to await further guidance from the U.S. embassy.
