United States Suspends Issuance of Certain Visas to Tanzanian Citizens

The United States has temporarily suspended the issuance of certain visa categories to Tanzanian citizens, effective January 1, 2026.

The announcement was made by the US Embassy in Tanzania on January 8, 2026. The decision follows Presidential Proclamation No. 10998, signed by President Donald Trump.

According to the embassy, the suspension affects several non-immigrant and immigrant visa categories.

Visa Categories Affected

The suspended visas include those issued for:

• Tourism, medical treatment, and family visits
• Short-term stays of up to six months
• Business travel such as conferences and contract negotiations
• Student visas and short-term training programs
• Immigrant visas for Tanzanian nationals

The US government said these measures are temporary and subject to regular review.

Visa Categories Still Allowed

Despite the suspension, some Tanzanian citizens remain eligible for US visas. These include:

• Holders of US permanent residence cards (Green Cards)
• Individuals traveling for international sports competitions
• Dual nationals holding citizenship of another eligible country
• Tanzanians employed by or working within US government institutions

The embassy also clarified that visas issued before January 1, 2026, at 12:01 p.m. remain valid.

Reasons Behind the Decision

US authorities stated that the suspension is linked to concerns over identity verification, data security, and information-sharing systems.

Washington argues that some countries lack reliable systems to store and share biometric and civil registry data. This, the US says, increases the risk of issuing visas to individuals who could pose security threats.

The United States also noted limited cooperation in exchanging visa applicant information with certain governments.

Increased Visa Screening Measures

In addition to suspending some visas, the US has tightened screening procedures. These include:

• Expanded review of applicants’ social media activity
• Reassessment of previously issued visas
• Stricter background and security checks

The US government said it will reassess affected countries every six months. Countries that meet the required standards may have visa services restored.

Countries on the Suspension List

Tanzania is among 39 countries listed under the proclamation. Most are in Africa and the Middle East.

Other countries mentioned include Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Yemen, and others.

The US indicated that the list could expand if additional countries fail to meet the required security and data-sharing standards.