GOVERNMENT has clarified that the United States has imposed temporary administrative restrictions on the issuance and use of certain visa categories for Zambian nationals, based on U.S. immigration compliance rules.

In a Ministerial Statement issued by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Rodney Sikumba in Parliament, the minister said the decision follows findings in the U.S. Visa Overstay Report.

“The report which shows Zambia recorded overstay rates of 10.73% for B1/B2 visas and 21.02% for F and M visas, exceeding prescribed thresholds,” Mr Sikumba said.

He emphasized that the measures are rules-based and administrative, not political or diplomatic sanctions against Zambia.

“The restrictions do not amount to a general travel ban and apply only to specific visa categories,” Mr Sikumba said

He said immigrant visas for Zambian nationals have been temporarily suspended, except for limited legal and humanitarian cases. Lawful permanent residents are not affected.

“Non-immigrant visas suspended include B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (students), M (vocational training), and J (exchange programmes),”Mr Sikumba said.

He said Diplomatic and official visas, including A-1, A-2, G-1 and G-2, remain operational, though with reduced validity periods.

“The measures do not affect trade, investment, development cooperation, remittances, or diplomatic relationsbetween Zambia and the United States,” Mr Sikumba said.

The minister added that Government is engaging U.S. authorities to review compliance benchmarks and work toward the lifting of the restrictions.

“Public sensitisation on visa compliance will be strengthened, alongside improved migration data management and inter-agency coordination,” Mr Sikumba said.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to lawful international travel and urged Zambians abroad to strictly comply with visa condition.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 4th Februray, 2026)