THE government says it is engaging the United States (US) to lift the suspension of visa applications for Zimbabweans wishing to travel to that country for work, study and business.
Zimbabweans living in the US are also facing an uncertain future.
On August 8 this year, Washington announced a pause on all routine visa applications for Zimbabwean citizens after adjusting its visa reciprocal policy a month earlier.
The freeze has grounded Zimbabweans who had secured travel, education, job and other opportunities in the US, it emerged yesterday.
According to the US Department of State, diplomatic and official visas will be exempted from the pause.
Yesterday, the United States embassy in Harare emphasised that it was temporarily stopping all visa applications “while we address concerns with the government of Zimbabwe.”
“We have temporarily paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the government of Zimbabwe,” the embassy said in a notice.
“This is not a travel ban. Current valid visas are not affected.
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“We will provide updates on resuming visa services as soon as there is change.”
Ndavaningi Mangwana, the government spokesperson, told NewsDay that authorities had reached out to the US over the matter.
“Government’s approach to diplomacy is characterised by respectful and discreet engagement,” Mangwana said when contacted for comment.
“We refrain from public posturing and, instead, focus on constructive dialogue behind the scenes.
“This approach enables us to build trust, foster co-operation and achieve meaningful outcomes.
“As such, we do not engage in megaphone diplomacy or issue running commentaries on our diplomatic efforts, opting instead for a quiet and collaborative approach.”
In an earlier notice, the embassy described the visa application pause as part of the US administration’s efforts to “prevent visa overstay and misuse”.
Zimbabwe is among a number of African countries that were slapped with travel restrictions under President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement policy.
In June, the US first put in place travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, seven of them in Africa.
Washington 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.
Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia were on the list of 36 countries asked to improve their citizens’ travel documentation and take steps to address the statuses 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 in June.
“We are always working to prevent visa overstay and misuse.
“Applicants with scheduled visa interviews will receive information once appointments can be rescheduled.
“Routine and emergency American Citizens Services will continue as normal.” Citizens from Malawi and Zambia are now required to pay a bond of up to US$15 000 for tourist or business visas.
Under the programme, citizens of those countries must also arrive and depart at one of three airports: Boston’s Logan International Airport, New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport or Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC.
