The United States has partially suspended the issuance of student, tourist, and immigrant visas to Tanzanian nationals.
This follows the issuance of a Presidential Proclamation, which took effect on January 1, 2026.
Under the directive, Tanzanians will no longer be eligible for non-immigrant visitor visas under the B-1/B-2 categories, which cover tourism and short-term business travel as well as student and exchange programme visas under the F, M and J categories.
The suspension also extends to all immigrant visas, subject to a narrow set of exemptions.
The proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” is part of a broader policy move that affects nationals of 39 countries, either fully or partially, as the US government tightens entry rules on security grounds.
Despite the restrictions, certain Tanzanian applicants will still qualify for US visas.
“These include dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not subject to the suspension, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and participants in select major international sporting competitions,” the notice reads.
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for employees of the US government also remain exempt.
In addition, the proclamation allows for immigrant visas for specific ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, a category that applies across all affected countries.
The US Department of State clarified that the suspension does not invalidate visas that were issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 am Eastern Standard Time.
Holders of such visas will retain their validity and will not be affected retroactively by the proclamation.
However, Tanzanian nationals may still submit visa applications and schedule interview appointments at US embassies and consulates, although officials caution that applicants may ultimately be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or denied entry at the point of travel under the new rules.
Tanzania is among 19 countries facing a partial suspension under the proclamation, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
For these countries, the restrictions are limited to visitor visas, student and exchange visas, and immigrant visas, with defined exceptions.
A separate group of 19 countries faces a full suspension of visa issuance across all non-immigrant and immigrant categories.
These include Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as well as individuals travelling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
US authorities say the measures build on earlier restrictions imposed under Presidential Proclamation 10949 and are intended to strengthen security-focused screening and vetting processes.
According to the State Department, the goal is to ensure that individuals approved for US visas do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
The move is expected to affect Tanzanian students seeking education opportunities in the US, families pursuing permanent residency, and travellers planning tourism or short-term business visits.
by JAMES GICHIGI
