Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Zambian citizens cannot use an ESTA. A US visitor visa is the normal route, but under Presidential Proclamation 10998 the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visas to Zambian nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before booking flights, hotels or anything else for Manhattan.
What the suspension means
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas to Zambian nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas). That covers the B-1 and B-2 categories most Manhattan trips rely on. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, and a consular officer decides whether an exception applies.
Arriving at a New York airport
Zambian travelers arrive at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia or Newark Liberty, then pass through Customs and Border Protection, whose officer decides whether you may enter. Carry your passport, your visa or travel document and a printed hotel confirmation for Manhattan, and be ready to explain the purpose of the trip, its length and how it is funded. Short, consistent answers help.
Staying in Manhattan
A hotel confirmation helps at the border, so keep a printed copy. While the visa position is unsettled, book rooms that can be canceled. Have the Manhattan address ready, since the officer may ask where you are staying. Airport trains from Kennedy and Newark connect with regional rail into the city; LaGuardia has no rail link, so buses, shared shuttles or a licensed taxi cover the trip.
Longer stays, work and study
A visitor visa does not permit work, study or a long stay. A degree program, an internship, employment or a stay of several months calls for a different category, usually one needing a petition or a sponsoring institution first. Rules change, so confirm the correct category on travel.state.gov and with the embassy or consulate. Zambian applicants should keep the application consistent with the stated purpose.
Step by step
- Read the State Department's announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 at travel.state.gov before planning.
- Check whether an exception fits, such as dual nationality or a visa issued before the proclamation.
- Confirm that an ESTA is not open to Zambian citizens, then follow the visa route.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate in Zambia about the category that fits the trip.
- Plan nothing non-refundable, including flights and Manhattan hotel nights, until the visa position is clear.
Documents to carry
- Passport, plus any older passport holding a previous US visa
- Printed hotel confirmation with the Manhattan address and nights booked
- Return or onward booking showing how and when you leave
- Evidence that the trip is funded, such as recent bank statements
- Travel insurance covering the dates of the stay
Zambian citizens: questions
Do Zambian citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Zambian citizens cannot use an ESTA and need a US visitor visa for a trip to Manhattan. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998 the issuance of new B-1 and B-2 visas to Zambian nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions. Check travel.state.gov and the embassy or consulate before paying for anything.
Can Zambian citizens apply for an ESTA instead of a US visa?
No. The Visa Waiver Program covers designated countries only, and Zambia is not among them, so an ESTA is not available to Zambian citizens. The application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov serves eligible nationals of participating countries. Travelers from Zambia need a visa or another document that fits the purpose of the trip.
Does Proclamation 10998 affect Zambian citizens who already hold a valid US visa?
Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so an existing valid visa is not canceled by it. Admission is still decided by Customs and Border Protection at the airport. Carry the passport with the visa, a hotel confirmation and your return plans, and be ready to explain the purpose and length of the visit.
Do Zambian citizens with dual nationality fall outside the US visa suspension?
Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Whether that covers a particular case depends on the passports held and how the trip is documented. Ask the embassy or consulate and read the State Department's announcement, which sets out the exceptions and how they are assessed.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.