US Suspends Most Visa Processing for Zimbabwe Over Government Concerns

US Suspends Most Visa Processing for Zimbabwe Over Government Concerns

The United States has temporarily halted the processing of most visa applications for Zimbabwe.

The U.S. embassy in Harare pointed to unspecified concerns about the Zimbabwean government as the main reason for this decision.

The embassy further explained that this suspension is not a travel ban, and visas already issued will still be valid.

The suspension began on August 7 and affects all visa services, except for most diplomatic and official visa categories.

This action comes after earlier limitations set by the U.S. State Department, which were designed to tackle issues of visa overstays and misuse.

A recent report revealed that Zimbabwe’s visa overstay rate reached 10.57% in 2023.

In other news, beginning this week, individuals applying for certain visitor visas from Zambia and Malawi will now need to provide a bond of up to $15,000.

The local community is voicing worries about the effects of this suspension.

This situation highlights the pressing issues and difficulties encountered by families impacted by the recent changes in visa processing. We will keep monitoring this evolving story closely.