US Halts Visa Approvals for Zimbabwe Citizens

Genevieve Nambalirwa, Africa One News |Travel

Friday, August 8, 2025 at 12:06:00 PM UTC

Zimbabwe-Visa-Requirements

In a sharp escalation of travel restrictions targeting Africa, the United States announced on Thursday a pause on all routine visa applications for Zimbabwean citizens. The move marks the latest in a series of tightening visa controls under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe confirmed that starting Friday, all routine visa services will be suspended “while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe.” The pause is described as temporary but underscores ongoing tensions around visa overstays and document security. Notably, diplomatic and official visa categories remain unaffected.

This development follows closely on the heels of a newly unveiled pilot program targeting Malawi and Zambia, requiring visa applicants to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for tourist or business visas. These bonds will be forfeited if travelers overstay their visas in the U.S. The program also restricts arrivals and departures for those countries to three specific U.S. airports: Boston Logan, New York JFK, and Dulles near Washington D.C. The pilot is set to launch on August 20.

These steps are part of a broader Trump administration policy aimed at clamping down on visa overstays and bolstering national security through stricter vetting processes. Earlier this year, travel bans were implemented on citizens from 12 countries, seven of which are in Africa. Additionally, heightened restrictions and warnings have been issued to over 30 countries, predominantly African nations, demanding improvements in traveler documentation and curbing illegal stays.

Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia were all listed among countries that must tighten controls on travel documentation and manage the presence of nationals residing illegally in the U.S. Failure to comply risks further travel bans.

The U.S. State Department defended the measures, stating, “The Trump Administration is protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”

For Zimbabweans and other affected African nationals, these new restrictions cast a shadow over their ability to travel to the United States, intensifying scrutiny and raising concerns over diplomatic relations and economic mobility.

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