The United States has halted the processing of most visas in Zimbabwe, citing undisclosed concerns with the government, its embassy in Harare announced on Wednesday.

“We have paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe,” the embassy said in a statement posted on X.

It clarified that the move was not a travel ban and that all existing visas remain valid.

According to a notice on the US State Department’s website, the suspension began on August 7 and affects all visa categories except most diplomatic and official ones. Zimbabwe’s government has yet to respond.

The decision adds to a broader set of restrictions under the Trump administration that have targeted several African nations. Washington has argued the measures are aimed at reducing visa overstays and misuse. Data from the US Department of Homeland Security showed Zimbabwe had an overstay rate of 10.57% in 2023.

The US has also paused visa processing in Niger and imposed new requirements on Zambia and Malawi, where some applicants may now be asked to post bonds of up to $15,000 for certain visitor visas.

In Zimbabwe, the sudden halt has thrown travel and study plans into disarray, particularly for students. Some parents are reportedly trying to secure interview slots at US embassies in neighbouring Zambia and Namibia, while others say financial constraints have made that option unrealistic.

The suspension is likely to deepen already fraught US-Zimbabwe relations, which have long been strained by disputes over governance and human rights.

The US had targeted sanctions against a number of Zimbabwean officials, accusing them of corruption and human rights violations. President Donald Trump had also imposed 18% tarrifs on Zimbabwean exports, further straining diplomatic ties.