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The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
US suspends routine visa applications for Zimbabweans
The United States has suspended all routine visa services for Zimbabwean citizens, effective Friday, citing concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe. In a statement, the US State Department said the measure is temporary and aims to address issues linked to visa overstays and misuse. Most diplomatic and official visas will be exempt. The suspension forms part of former President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement policies. In June, the US imposed travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, including seven in Africa, and tightened restrictions on an additional seven. The US has also told 36 countries the majority in Africa, to improve traveller vetting or face entry bans. The US also warned Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia to strengthen travel documentation. Officials told Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia to address the status of their nationals living illegally in the US. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
U.S. adds new African nation to expanding visa restrictions list
The United States Embassy in Zimbabwe has suspended all routine visa services starting Friday, citing unresolved concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe and the country's inclusion in Washington's visa restrictions policy. The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has suspended routine visa services citing concerns with the Zimbabwean government. The suspension impacts most non-diplomatic visas, disrupting plans for students, tourists, and business travelers. The action aligns with intensified U.S. immigration policies emphasizing compliance with migration and security protocols. According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, the pause in services will not apply to most diplomatic and official visas, but it is expected to affect thousands of students, tourists, and business travelers from Zimbabwe who rely on U.S. entry for education, commerce, and family visits. This marks the second time in two years, Zimbabwe has been placed on the U.S. visa blacklist. In 2023, then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals accused of undermining democracy in the country. The move followed President Emmerson Mnangagwa's re-election in a disputed vote, which the opposition labelled a 'gigantic fraud.' Election observers also criticised the poll, stating it failed to meet both regional and international standards. In a formal communication, the U.S. Embassy in Harare stated: 'The U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, has paused all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services with the exception of most diplomatic and official visas.' The statement further emphasized the administration's rationale: ' 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. We are always working to prevent visa overstay and misuse. Applicants with scheduled visa interviews will receive information once appointments can be rescheduled. ' While embassy officials clarified that the move does not constitute a full consular shutdown, and that essential services will continue, the timing of the decision has sparked speculation over mounting diplomatic friction between Washington and Harare. The pause comes amid a tightening of U.S. immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump's second term, where visa access is increasingly tied to a foreign government's compliance with U.S. migration and security expectations. Trump's revised immigration policy The suspension of routine visa services in Zimbabwe aligns closely with President Donald Trump's revised immigration policy. Introduced during his second term, the updated immigration framework marks an intensification of Trump's longstanding push to curb illegal immigration and reduce visa overstays especially from countries designated as high-risk by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Under this more assertive approach, Washington now explicitly links visa access to a country's cooperation with U.S. migration enforcement, including deportation agreements, data sharing, and return protocols. Embassies have been granted broader authority to scale back or suspend consular services in countries seen as uncooperative or non-compliant. This latest development comes amid a broader policy shift that has added both financial and administrative hurdles for several African nations. Most notably, the U.S. recently imposed a $15,000 visa bond requirement on nationals of Zambia and Malawi, citing high visa overstay rates. In June, President Trump signed a new travel ban targeting 12 countries, primarily located in Africa and the Middle. Notably, seven of these are African nations. In Zimbabwe's case, analysts view the suspension as a calculated diplomatic lever, intended to pressure the country into stronger compliance with existing migration agreements and broader international expectations. As of now, no timeline has been provided for the restoration of normal visa services, leaving students, business travelers, and families in a state of uncertainty.
9 News
5 days ago
- 9 News
US pauses most visa applications from Zimbabwe
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The United States has announced a pause on all routine visa applications for citizens of Zimbabwe , the latest restriction on travellers from Africa. It came days after the US unveiled a pilot project requiring citizens of two other African countries, Malawi and Zambia, to pay a bond of up to US$15,000 (A$23,000) for tourist or business visas. The bond will be forfeited if the applicant stays in the US after their visa expires. The State Department said the US Embassy in Zimbabwe would pause all routine visa services starting on Friday "while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe." Donald Trump has made it much harder for citizens of many African countries to visit the US. (AP) The embassy described the measure as temporary and part of the Trump administration's efforts to "prevent visa overstay and misuse." Most diplomatic and official visas would be exempt from the pause, the U.S. said. The US has enforced new travel restrictions on citizens from several African countries under President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement policies. In June, the US put in place travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, seven of them in Africa. It applied heightened restrictions on seven other nations, three of them African. The US has also demanded that 36 countries, the majority of them in Africa, improve their vetting of travellers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States. Citizens of certain African countries can now only enter the US through three airports, including Logan Airport in Boston. (Adobe Stock) Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia were all on that list of 36 countries asked to improve their citizens' travel documentation and take steps to address the status of their nationals who are in the US illegally. "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," the US State Department said Thursday. The new bond policy announced on Tuesday requires Malawians and Zambians to pay bonds of $7600, $15,000 or $23,000 as part of their application for a tourist or business visa to the US. Under the program, citizens of those countries must also arrive and depart at one of three airports; Boston's Logan International Airport, New York's JFK International Airport or Dulles International Airport near Washington DC. The visa bond pilot program will start on August 20, the State Department said. Zimbabwe is home to Victoria Falls, one of the most dazzling natural wonders in the world. (Adobe Stock) Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox. Donald Trump Africa Zimbabwe USA US POLITICS immigration CONTACT US
5 days ago
- Business
US pauses most visa applications from Zimbabwe in another restriction on travelers from Africa
HARARE, Zimbabwe -- The United States on Thursday announced a pause on all routine visa applications for citizens of Zimbabwe, the latest restriction on travelers from Africa. It came days after the U.S. unveiled a pilot project requiring citizens of two other African countries, Malawi and Zambia, to pay a bond of up to $15,000 for tourist or business visas. The bond will be forfeited if the applicant stays in the U.S. after their visa expires. The State Department said the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe would pause all routine visa services starting Friday 'while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe.' The embassy described the measure as temporary and part of the Trump administration's efforts to 'prevent visa overstay and misuse.' Most diplomatic and official visas would be exempt from the pause, the U.S. said. The U.S. has enforced new travel restrictions on citizens from several African countries under President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement policies. In June, the U.S. put in place travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, seven of them in Africa. It applied heightened restrictions on seven other nations, three of them African. The U.S. has also demanded that 36 countries, the majority of them in Africa, improve their vetting of travelers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States. Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia were all on that list of 36 countries asked to improve their citizens' travel documentation and take steps to address the status of their nationals who are in the U.S. illegally. '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," the U.S. State Department said Thursday. The new bond policy announced Tuesday requires Malawians and Zambians to pay bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or 15,000 as part of their application for a tourist or business visa to the U.S. Under the program, citizens of those countries must also arrive and depart at one of three airports; Boston's Logan International Airport, New York's JFK International Airport or Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. The visa bond pilot program will start on Aug. 20, the State Department said.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
US pauses most visa applications from Zimbabwe in another restriction on travelers from Africa
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — The United States on Thursday announced a pause on all routine visa applications for citizens of Zimbabwe, the latest restriction on travelers from Africa. It came days after the U.S. unveiled a pilot project requiring citizens of two other African countries, Malawi and Zambia, to pay a bond of up to $15,000 for tourist or business visas. The bond will be forfeited if the applicant stays in the U.S. after their visa expires. The State Department said the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe would pause all routine visa services starting Friday 'while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe.' The embassy described the measure as temporary and part of the Trump administration's efforts to 'prevent visa overstay and misuse.' Most diplomatic and official visas would be exempt from the pause, the U.S. said. The U.S. has enforced new travel restrictions on citizens from several African countries under President Donald Trump's broader immigration enforcement policies. In June, the U.S. put in place travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, seven of them in Africa. It applied heightened restrictions on seven other nations, three of them African. The U.S. has also demanded that 36 countries, the majority of them in Africa, improve their vetting of travelers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States. Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia were all on that list of 36 countries asked to improve their citizens' travel documentation and take steps to address the status of their nationals who are in the U.S. illegally. '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,' the U.S. State Department said Thursday. The new bond policy announced Tuesday requires Malawians and Zambians to pay bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or 15,000 as part of their application for a tourist or business visa to the U.S. Under the program, citizens of those countries must also arrive and depart at one of three airports; Boston's Logan International Airport, New York's JFK International Airport or Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C. The visa bond pilot program will start on Aug. 20, the State Department said. ___ Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed.
