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The Zambian government has announced that routine United States visa services for its nationals will now be moved out of Lusaka starting next month.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Principal Public Relations Officer, Eva Chanda, said the Government was formally notified by the Embassy of the United States of America in Lusaka of the changes to visa processing operations.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Chanda said the adjustment followsed an announcement by the United States Department of State to review its overseas operations in several countries, including Zambia.
Effective 1st August 2026, routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services for Zambian nationals and residents seeking to travel to the United States will be processed through the United States Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“The Government recognizes that this development may affect Zambian citizens, students, business persons, tourists and other travellers who may wish to apply for United States visas in the future,” Chanda stated.
She said the ministry was already engaging the USA Embassy in Lusaka to better understand the operational arrangements and to ensure that accurate information was made available to affected applicants.
“The Ministry therefore wishes to assure the public that it is engaging the USA Embassy in Lusaka to better understand the operational arrangements and to ensure that accurate information is made available to affected applicants,” Chanda said.
She clarified that the United States Embassy in Lusaka would remain operational and continue to provide consular services to United States citizens, diplomatic visa services, and official visa services.
Chanda said members of the public with pending visa applications or scheduled appointments should follow guidance from United States authorities and consult official US Government channels for information on appointment scheduling, visa fee payments and application procedures.
“The Ministry also wishes to emphasize that this administrative decision by the United States Government does not alter the cordial and longstanding relations that exist between the Republic of Zambia and the USA,” she said.
Chanda assured that Zambia remained committed to maintaining and strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership that had existed between the two countries over many years.
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