Harare – The US embassy in Harare on Wednesday said Washington has imposed a ‘visa pause’ on Zimbabweans wishing to travel to America and not a travel ban.
”We have paused routine visa services in Harare while we address concerns with the Government of Zimbabwe,” the US embassy said.
”This is not a travel ban.All valid visas remain valid. We will provide updates on resuming visa services as soon as there is a change.”
The US government imposed a visa pause on Zimbabwe in recent weeks and stopped issuing visas to ordinary people.
Only people travelling on government business and diplomats can apply for the US visa.
The pause on issuing visas was made after the US government accused Zimbabweans of not returning to the southern African nation after their visas have expired.
Zimbabwe is facing a harsh economic crisis with high unemployment rate of over 80 percent and rising poverty.
People have resorted to look for visas from Europe countries and US to escape the hard times in Zimbabwe.