- Tanzania and the United States agreed to revisit current visa restrictions during high-level diplomatic talks.
- The talks involved an eleven-member congressional delegation focused on strategic cooperation and mutual respect.
- Existing restrictions under Proclamation ten thousand nine hundred ninety-eight remain in effect for several visa categories.
Tanzania and the United States agreed on August 3, 2026, in Dar es Salaam to revisit Tanzania’s requests over U.S. visa restrictions. The talks put the issue back in front of both governments. The limits still stand.
The two sides said they would continue strategic cooperation and revisit all requests formally submitted by Tanzania regarding the restrictions. Follow-up meetings are planned. The Daily News also ran the account from Dar es Salaam.
Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said Tanzania would keep pressing the case through diplomatic channels.
"The government would like to assure the public that it will continue with these discussions with the U.S. Government through diplomatic channels to find a solution that considers equality, respect, and the interests of both parties."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation called the meeting a "major success" and an "initial step in advancing discussions between the two countries." Those were its words.
The talks drew an 11-member U.S. congressional delegation led by Congressman Ronny Jackson, Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee. Dr. Rhimo Nyansaho, Minister for Defence and National Service, also participated in the strategic partnership discussions. Nyansaho joined the talks.
The restrictions trace back to Presidential Proclamation 10998. It took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026. The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania says the order covers B, F, M, and J visas and most immigrant visas. The ban remains in effect.
B1 and B2 applicants now face a separate bond
| Measure | Who it affects | Rule | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proclamation 10998 | Tanzanian applicants for B, F, M, and J visas, plus most immigrant visas | Suspended or limited | January 1, 2026 |
| Visa Bond Program | Tanzanian applicants for B1 (Business) and B2 (Tourist) visas | Refundable bond from $10,000 to $20,000; Tanzania listed among 50 countries, 30 in Africa | August 3, 2026 |
The two measures are separate. One narrows entry. The other can add a cash hurdle to visitor applications.
The embassy also tells Tanzanian nationals already in the United States to avoid traveling abroad. It warned there is a strong likelihood they will not be allowed to return while the current ban is in effect. The ban remains active.
That was 34.13%. In the 2023 fiscal year, the adjusted refusal rate for Tanzanian B-visa applicants reached that level. About 100,000 Tanzanian diaspora members in the U.S. are affected when family visits and travel get harder.
The election was disputed. Tanzania held a disputed general election on October 29, 2025, and President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner. In May 2026, Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Ted Cruz introduced a bipartisan bill to overhaul the U.S.-Tanzania relationship after reports of democratic backsliding and political violence.
The State Department made the Visa Bond Program permanent on August 3, 2026. Tanzania sits among 50 countries, 30 in Africa. The program is permanent.
