Routine United States visa applications for Zambians will from 1st August 2026 be processed in South Africa following changes to U.S. visa operations announced by the United States Government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says it has been formally notified by the United States Embassy in Lusaka that routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services for Zambian nationals and residents seeking to travel to the United States will now be handled by the United States Consulate General in Johannesburg.
The Ministry says the changes form part of a broader review of the United States Department of State’s overseas visa processing operations and are expected to affect Zambian students, business people, tourists and other travellers applying for routine U.S. visas.
Government says it is engaging the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka to better understand the new operational arrangements and ensure accurate information is provided to affected applicants.
The Ministry has, however, clarified that the United States Embassy in Lusaka will remain operational and continue providing consular services to U.S. citizens, diplomatic and official visa services, as well as limited non-immigrant visa services in cases deemed to be in the national interest of the United States.
It has further advised members of the public with pending visa applications or scheduled appointments to follow guidance issued directly by United States authorities and use official U.S. Government communication channels for information on appointment scheduling, visa fee payments and application procedures.
The Ministry has also emphasized that the administrative changes do not affect the longstanding relations between Zambia and the United States, adding that Government remains committed to strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Principal Public Relations Officer Eva Hatontola Chanda.
By Best Jere
