The United States has announced a partial suspension of visa issuance to Tanzanian nationals, effective January 1, 2026, under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
In a statement issued by the US Embassy in Tanzania on January 8, the embassy stated that the suspension applies to non-immigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F, M, and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as all immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
“In line with Presidential Proclamation 10998, as of January 1, 2026, the United States is partially suspending visa issuance to Tanzanian nationals,” read part of the statement.
According to the embassy, the exemptions include immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.
They also cover dual nationals applying with passports from countries not subject to the suspension, Special Immigrant Visas for eligible US government employees, participants in certain major sporting events, and lawful permanent residents.
The embassy clarified that visas issued before 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026, will not be revoked under the proclamation.
While Tanzanian nationals may continue to submit visa applications and schedule interviews, they may be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.
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Why US Embassy Is Suspending Tanzania
The United States has expanded and modified travel and visa restrictions on nationals from multiple countries, citing persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing systems that pose national security and public safety risks.
In a presidential proclamation, President Donald Trump said the measures build on earlier executive orders and proclamations upheld by the US Supreme Court and are intended to prevent terrorists, criminals, and other security threats from exploiting US immigration systems.
The administration said reviews by the State Department, Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and US intelligence agencies found that several countries continue to lack reliable civil documentation, criminal records, and identity-management systems, with corruption and document fraud further undermining vetting efforts.
Also Read: US Embassy Reveals Social Media Details Kenyans Must Provide in Visa Application
As a result, the US will fully restrict entry for nationals of 19 countries, partially restrict entry for nationals of 19 others, including Tanzania and narrow previous exemptions to prevent abuse, particularly in family-based immigration categories.
Other countries include, Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen
Officials also cited high visa overstay rates, unreliable travel documents, abuse of citizenship-by-investment programmes, and the inability of some governments to share security information as key reasons for the continued restrictions.
The White House said the measures will remain in place until affected countries address the identified deficiencies and meet US screening, vetting, and security requirements.
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Sasa Katila, wewe ndio wa kuiandikia Tanzania habari ili iweje?! Ya kwenu huko Kenya msayasafisha yote, unaiona Tanzania ndio jalala lenu la kila uchafu mnaoufikiria?! Kwani kuzuiwa kwenda Marekani hatutaishi kama Watanzania? Huoni kama hatua hiyo ya Marekani ni kuendeleza ukoloni ambao sharti tuukemee kwa sauti moja kama Waafrika? Kwenu inawafurahisha?! Haya kwenu nyie wapwa wa Marekani jiwekeni kwenye utukufu wa kikoloni. Na sisi pia tutafika tu kwetu Afrika.
Excellent move by the US to make “American Great Again” You must remove lice to have a free head from aches and
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