KEY POINTS
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Visa suspension in Zimbabwe blocks routine services.
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Students face setbacks due to visa suspension struggles.
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U.S. cites concerns with Zimbabwe government.
The United States has suspended most visa services in Zimbabwe, the embassy in Harare said Wednesday, citing unspecified concerns with the government.
“We have paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe,” the embassy wrote in a post on X. Officials stressed the move is not a travel ban and that existing visas remain valid.
The pause, which took effect August 7, covers nearly all visa categories except diplomatic and official visas, according to a U.S. State Department notice. Zimbabwe’s government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Visa suspension in Zimbabwe raises concerns
The decision marks another shift in Washington’s visa policy across Africa. The Trump administration had previously tightened travel rules for some African countries, pointing to high rates of overstays and alleged visa misuse.
In 2023, Zimbabwe recorded a visa overstay rate of 10.57 percent, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The U.S. has also paused visa processing in Niger and now requires applicants from Zambia and Malawi to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for certain visitor visas.
Students caught in visa suspension struggles
The halt has disrupted plans for many families, including students waiting to begin their studies abroad.
According to Reuters, Harare resident Angella Chirombo said her 18-year-old son, who received a scholarship to study at Michigan State University, was left stranded. “He was supposed to be in school already. I paid for everything else and was waiting for the visa,” she told Reuters.
Other parents are now considering applying through U.S. embassies in neighboring countries like Zambia and Namibia, though many say they cannot afford the added cost. “There are so many students affected,” Chirombo said.
