The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has announced a suspension of routine visa services, citing concerns related to national security and public safety. The directive to halt consular operations was issued from Washington and does not affect Zimbabwean citizens who already possess valid U.S. visas.
This move follows a June internal cable from the U.S. State Department that proposed visa restrictions for several African nations due to issues such as unreliable identity documentation, weak passport security, and some governments’ reluctance to accept deported nationals. Zimbabwe was among the countries listed, alongside Kenya, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria.
That same month, the U.S. imposed a travel ban on citizens from Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Additional restrictions were placed on travelers from Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
