US Suspends Majority of Visa Services for Zimbabwe

The United States has temporarily halted all routine visa services for citizens of Zimbabwe, effective from Friday, as announced by the US State Department. This pause was implemented to address ongoing concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe. The US embassy in Zimbabwe described the decision as a temporary measure and part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to curb visa overstay and prevent the misuse of visas. However, this suspension does not apply to most diplomatic and official visa categories, which will continue as normal.

This action is part of a broader immigration strategy initiated during Donald Trump’s presidency, which aims to enforce tighter control over immigration and travel to the United States. The Trump administration has taken a hardline stance on immigration, particularly focusing on African nations. In June, the US introduced travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, seven of which are located in Africa. These measures were later expanded to increase travel restrictions on seven additional countries, including three African nations.

Furthermore, the United States has demanded that 36 countries—most of them in Africa—enhance their vetting and documentation procedures for their travelers. These countries were warned that failure to comply could lead to travel bans being imposed on their citizens. Zimbabwe, along with Malawi and Zambia, was included on this list. The US has requested these countries to improve their citizens’ travel documentation and also take responsibility for addressing the status of their nationals who are living illegally in the United States.

The State Department stated that these steps are necessary to protect American national security and public safety. It reiterated the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing high standards in the US visa system as a way of securing the nation.

In a related development, just days before the visa suspension for Zimbabwe was announced, the US also unveiled a visa bond pilot program targeting citizens of Malawi and Zambia. Under this new policy, individuals applying for tourist or business visas to the US will be required to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. This bond is refundable only if the applicant leaves the US before the expiration of their visa. If the person overstays their visa, the bond will be forfeited.

The bond policy is set to go into effect on August 20. It also comes with strict conditions regarding entry and exit points: travelers under this program must arrive and depart from one of three designated US airports—Logan International Airport in Boston, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, or Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC.

These new travel and visa policies underscore a significant tightening of US immigration policy towards African nations, as part of a broader initiative to curb illegal immigration and enhance border security. While these policies have drawn criticism from some human rights advocates, the US government maintains they are necessary for national interest and public safety.