The United States has temporarily halted all routine visa processing services at its embassy in Zimbabwe, citing concerns over visa overstays and non-cooperation on immigration matters.
The decision, which takes effect Thursday, affects a wide range of visa categories — including immigrant, tourist, student, and business visas — and follows a directive from the US State Department. The embassy will, however, continue to process a limited number of applications, including diplomatic and official visas.
A senior State Department official said the move is part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to curb visa overstays and misuse. Zimbabwe currently has an overstay rate of 10.57 percent for B1 and B2 visa holders — the equivalent of 709 individuals — according to US government data. The overstay rate among Zimbabwean students is also reportedly under scrutiny.
In addition to overstay concerns, Washington has pointed to Zimbabwe’s unwillingness to sign a “safe third country” agreement — a deal that would allow asylum seekers to be transferred to a country they passed through before arriving in the US.
The US has been pressuring African nations to take back deported non-nationals or agree to similar asylum protocols. So far, only Eswatini, Rwanda, and South Sudan have publicly accepted such arrangements.
The suspension will not affect Zimbabweans holding currently valid US visas, officials said.
In June, the Trump administration reinstated a travel ban targeting 19 countries, citing weak passport controls and high visa overstay rates. Around the same time, the US government reportedly gave Zimbabwe and several other countries 60 days to comply with new immigration and security conditions or face penalties, according to The Washington Post.
The visa freeze comes just days after Washington launched a controversial pilot program requiring visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to post bonds of up to $15,000. That scheme is expected to go into effect later this month, part of a broader campaign to deter visitors from overstaying their visas.
Info News
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