US Considers Visa Curbs on Zimbabwe and Others Ahead of UNGA

The US Embassy in Zimbabwe (Image Source)

Washington, D.C. — The United States government is considering new visa and travel restrictions on delegations from Zimbabwe, Iran, Brazil, and Sudan ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month. The proposals, detailed in an internal State Department memo leaked to the Associated Press, reflect Washington’s shifting posture under the Trump administration’s evolving immigration and security policies.

According to the memo, the restrictions may include tighter visa screening and approvals, as well as limitations confining diplomats to New York City’s UN zone. They could also extend to retail bans, preventing delegations from shopping at bulk stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club—a measure previously targeted at Iranian diplomats. While Zimbabwe was listed among the potential targets, no specific terms have been confirmed. The State Department has declined to comment, fueling speculation about whether the move is merely symbolic pressure or a concrete policy shift.

Sensitive Timing for Harare

The timing is particularly sensitive for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, which remains under longstanding US sanctions imposed over governance and human rights concerns. Analysts suggest the proposed curbs could:

• Restrict Mnangagwa or senior officials from traveling freely in the US.

• Limit Harare’s engagement in side meetings with potential investors and development partners.

• Further strain already fragile US-Zimbabwe relations.

Zimbabwe’s foreign policy has increasingly tilted toward China, Russia, and other BRICS members, a shift that some observers say may be influencing Washington’s calculations ahead of UNGA 2025.

Visa Weaponisation as a Diplomatic Tool

The US memo forms part of a broader pattern of visa weaponisation—a diplomatic tool used to reward allies and isolate rivals. While Syria’s delegation has reportedly received waivers, the targeting of Zimbabwe underscores what appears to be a hardening of policy from the Biden era to the current Trump administration.

What It Means for Zimbabwe

For Harare, the development is another reminder of the costs of unresolved disputes over sanctions, democracy, and governance. Whether the proposed measures translate into formal restrictions will be closely monitored when international delegations begin arriving in New York in mid-September.