US visa restrictions leave Zimbabwe beauty queen in limbo
· The South African
Miss Universe Zimbabwe Roseanna Hall is facing uncertainty over her participation in the 75th edition of the global beauty pageant after experiencing delays in securing a United States visa.
Hall was stranded in neighbouring South Africa after failing to obtain the necessary travel documents to fly to Puerto Rico, where this year’s competition is taking place.
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The beauty queen was scheduled to leave for the Caribbean island on Sunday, 8 November 2026, but remained in South Africa as efforts to secure her visa continued.
In a video shared on her social media accounts, Hall said the delay was linked to the partial travel restrictions imposed by the United States on Zimbabwe and several other countries.
“I have been in South Africa for the past week and officially today is the day I was supposed to be leaving for Puerto Rico for the 75th edition of Miss Universe but unfortunately due to the partial ban on Zimbabwe and other nations by the United States we have been back and forth trying to get my visa approved,” she said.
Why Zimbabweans face US visa restrictions
Hall’s predicament comes after the US government introduced additional travel restrictions affecting nationals from several countries, including Zimbabwe.
Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect on 1 January 2026, partially suspended visa issuance to citizens of 19 countries.
According to the US Department of State, the restrictions affect B-1 and B-2 visitor visas, F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas, as well as immigrant visas, subject to specified exceptions.
The US government cited concerns relating to identity management, information sharing and immigration screening as reasons for the restrictions.
Zimbabwe is among several African countries affected, alongside Zambia, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Angola and Senegal.
Although the restrictions do not amount to a complete ban on all travel to the US, applicants from affected countries may still apply for visas and attend interviews but could be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission.
The proclamation also provides for case-by-case exceptions where authorities determine that an individual’s travel would serve the US national interest.
Hall hopes to make it to Puerto Rico
The travel setback comes as preparations for Miss Universe 2026 get underway in Puerto Rico.
According to the Miss Universe Organisation, contestants began arriving on 8 November for registration, rehearsals and other activities ahead of the competition.
The grand finale is scheduled for 24 November at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.
Hall said the Zimbabwean government, private individuals and the Miss Universe Zimbabwe organisation were working to resolve her visa challenges.
She also expressed solidarity with other African contestants experiencing similar difficulties.
The beauty queen will be hoping to continue Zimbabwe’s recent progress at the international competition.
Sakhile Dube reached the top 30 at the 2024 edition, while Lyshanda Moyas also secured a top-30 finish in 2025.
Hall’s participation in this year’s competition remains uncertain as efforts to secure her travel documents continue.