20/08/2025
The Story of Frosty US, Zim relations
Relations between Zimbabwe and the United States have gone from frosty to thaw and frosty again.
The US argues Harare is being punished for its poor track record on human rights, gross corruption and other vices but Zimbabwe has had none of it. They argue the U.S is interfering in Zimbabwe’s "sovereignty" and want to control.
Notable restrictions date back to the early 2000s, following the chaotic fast-track land reform programme that led to widespread criticism of Zimbabwe’s governance record. In 2001, the U.S. passed the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA), which did not directly impose a travel ban on ordinary Zimbabweans but laid the foundation for targeted sanctions.
From 2002 onwards, the U.S. government began issuing visa bans and asset freezes against specific Zimbabwean political leaders, military officials, and business figures accused of undermining democracy, human rights, or the rule of law. These were not blanket bans on ordinary Zimbabweans but selective measures targeting individuals closely aligned with the ruling party, ZANU-PF. The State Department regularly updated this sanctions list through executive orders, most notably under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
For most Zimbabweans, travel to the U.S. remained possible, though under stricter vetting. However, heightened scrutiny of visa applicants became commonplace, particularly for those applying for long-term visas or seeking to study in America.
Under the Trump administration (2017–2021), U.S. immigration policies grew more restrictive globally, with Zimbabweans experiencing delays and denials in some visa categories. While Zimbabwe was not part of the 2017 “travel ban” targeting several Muslim-majority countries, Zimbabwean applicants faced increased background checks and tighter vetting.
In March last year, the US ended the Zimbabwe Sanctions Program and claimed was committed to addressing human rights abuses and corruption in Zimbabwe through the Global Magnitsky (GloMag) sanctions program.
In 2025, however, the U.S. government escalated matters by suspending routine visa processing in Zimbabwe, citing concerns about visa overstays and Zimbabwe’s lack of cooperation on immigration issues. This marked one of the most direct actions to affect ordinary Zimbabweans seeking to travel to America.
Thus, while historically restrictions targeted political elites, the current visa pause signals a broader shift, impacting students, tourists, and business travellers alike.
Follow Business Times Zimbabwe for more updates and stories like these!
