U.S. Embassy in Harare suspends routine visa services; Zimbabweans must now travel to Johannesburg for immigrant visa interviews

HARARE — The U.S. Embassy in Harare has temporarily suspended all routine visa processing for Zimbabwean citizens, requiring immigrant visa applicants to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, for interviews. The Department of State cites the new requirement that applicants must interview in the consular district of their residence, coupled with the suspension of services in Harare.

On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Harare issued an official notice that all routine visa services, including both immigrant and nonimmigrant categories—such as for tourists, students, business travelers, and exchange visitors—are on hold. Exceptions include most diplomatic and official visas.

The following week, Reuters confirmed the move, citing unspecified concerns with the Zimbabwean government. The reporting stressed that the pause is not a travel ban and that existing valid visas remain unaffected.

On August 28, 2025, the Department of State released updated guidance stating that immigrant visa applicants must now complete interviews in the consular district designated for their place of residence—or their country of nationality if the applicant requests it. The guidance includes an explicit note that residents of countries where routine operations are paused, such as Zimbabwe, “should apply at their designated immigrant visa processing post.” For Zimbabwe, that designated post is Johannesburg.

In effect, Zimbabwean applicants who would normally interview in Harare must now make arrangements to appear at the U.S. consulate in Johannesburg. The State Department did not elaborate on exceptions beyond rare humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy situations.

This change marks a significant shift in the U.S. visa process for Zimbabweans, obliging them to undertake international travel to a neighboring country simply to attend their visa interview—something not previously required under normal operations.

While the embassy has not provided a timeline for resuming visa services in Harare, the Department of State has committed to notifying affected applicants directly when appointment scheduling can resume. Visa application fees remain valid for 365 days from issuance, giving applicants some flexibility once services resume.