The United States has temporarily suspended most visa services at its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, in a move that Washington insists is not a travel ban.
According to BusinessDay, the U.S. Embassy announced via its official X account that all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services will be paused until further notice.
However, it clarified that diplomatic and official visas would still be processed.
The embassy explained that the decision was made to allow for consultations with the Zimbabwean government.
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Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue a statement in response to the suspension.
This development comes amid a broader tightening of U.S. visa and immigration policies.
In June, the U.S. government imposed travel restrictions on visitors from a dozen countries—half of them African.
Earlier this month, the State Department introduced a new requirement mandating business and tourist travelers from Malawi and Zambia to deposit up to $15,000, refundable upon return, before being granted U.S. visas.
The suspension marks another point of friction between Washington and African nations at a time when mobility restrictions are drawing criticism from regional leaders and rights groups.
Image Credit: News24
