US reaffirms tough visa rules for Zimbabweans

Published: 9 hours ago

The United States has reiterated its strict position on visa processing for Zimbabwean residents, confirming that all non-immigrant visa applications must be lodged at its consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In a notice issued Tuesday, Washington said the suspension of routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Harare remains in force, except for most diplomatic and official categories.

"The U.S. Embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, continues its pause on all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services except for most diplomatic and official visas," the statement read.

Zimbabweans applying for non-immigrant visas are required to schedule their interviews in Johannesburg unless they reside elsewhere. The U.S. further announced that C1/D transit and crew member visas have been extended to 24 months, with multiple entries now permitted.

"Applications for C1/D visas may be submitted at the U.S. Embassy in Johannesburg at this time," the notice stated.

At the same time, the U.S. introduced new social media requirements, warning that applicants with private accounts will not be considered for visas. All individuals applying for student (F), vocational (M), or exchange (J) non-immigrant visas are now required to adjust their social media privacy settings to "public."

"Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media accounts to ‘public' to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law," the embassy said.

Officials stressed that the rule is intended to safeguard American citizens by allowing consular officers to thoroughly vet applicants' affiliations, online activity, and potential security risks.

The U.S. also cautioned that Zimbabwean nationals applying outside their home country should expect longer waiting times and stricter scrutiny, warning that such applicants "may face greater difficulty qualifying for a visa."
- online

Tags: Visa,