The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has reminded Zambian nationals intending to travel to the United States to familiarise themselves with entry restrictions imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump.
The restrictions, which took effect on January 1, 2026, affect immigrant visas and several categories of non-immigrant visas issued to Zambian nationals under a presidential proclamation.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, the ministry said the affected non-immigrant visa categories included B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas, which generally cover business and tourism, academic studies, vocational training and exchange visitor programmes.
The ministry also disclosed that the proclamation provided for reduced validity periods, to the extent permitted by law, for other non-immigrant visas issued to Zambian nationals.
However, it said the restrictions were subject to specific exceptions and did not apply uniformly to all travellers.
Among those exempted are lawful permanent residents of the United States, dual nationals travelling on passports issued by countries not covered by the restrictions, and certain categories of official and diplomatic travellers.
The ministry said other limited exceptions and case-by-case waivers could also be granted, depending on the circumstances and provisions of the presidential proclamation.
It has therefore urged Zambians planning to visit the United States to seek clarification from the US Embassy in Zambia before making travel arrangements or paying visa application fees.
The ministry emphasised that prospective travellers should establish whether their individual circumstances fall within the permitted categories to avoid unnecessary expenses or complications.
The advisory comes amid continuing diplomatic engagement between Zambia and the United States over the travel restrictions and their potential implications for Zambian citizens seeking to visit the country for business, education, tourism and other purposes.
The ministry assured the public that the Zambian government would continue engaging the relevant American authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels to safeguard the interests of its citizens.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the public that it will continue to engage the relevant authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels in the interest of Zambian citizens,” the statement said.
The government has encouraged travellers to rely on official guidance from the ministry and the US Embassy when seeking information about visa eligibility and entry requirements, as the applicable conditions may vary according to visa category and individual circumstances.
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