New U.S. Travel Rules Limit Zimbabwean Visitors

17 December 2025

By Andile Vundla

Zimbabwe has been added to the United States’ expanded travel restriction list, a move set to affect future travel plans for Zimbabwean citizens.

The new measures, announced by President Donald Trump, will take effect on 1 January 2026, and place partial restrictions on certain visa types, including non-immigrant and visitor visas.

While Zimbabwe is not under a full ban, it joins 15 other countries facing similar restrictions, as part of a broader policy now affecting 39 nations in total. Five countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, are subject to full travel bans.

The expansion also affects individuals traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, who are now restricted from entering the U.S. under the new proclamation.

U.S. officials say the move is intended to strengthen security and improve vetting, though critics argue the policy targets entire populations based on nationality rather than individual risk.

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