The United States will temporarily suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries as part of a broader review of its immigration procedures, according to a State Department spokesperson. The pause is intended to reassess screening measures aimed at preventing the entry of foreign nationals who could become dependent on public assistance.
The move comes amid ongoing immigration policy shifts under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has intensified its crackdown on immigration since returning to office in January 2025. The suspension will take effect on January 21.
Countries affected span multiple regions, including Latin America—such as Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay—parts of the Balkans like Bosnia and Albania, and South Asia, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as numerous nations across Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Explaining the decision, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department would rely on its long-standing authority to deny visas to individuals deemed likely to become a “public charge” in the United States. Immigrant visa processing from the listed countries will remain on hold while officials review existing procedures to ensure applicants are financially self-sufficient and unlikely to rely on welfare or public benefits.
The announcement follows a directive issued in November instructing U.S. diplomats to more closely examine applicants’ financial independence and their potential reliance on government support, according to a State Department cable previously reported by Reuters.
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Impact on Legal Immigration
President Trump has pursued an aggressive immigration enforcement agenda, deploying federal agents to major cities and tightening both illegal and legal immigration channels. While his campaign focused on curbing unlawful border crossings, the administration has also introduced measures that make legal immigration more difficult, including higher fees for certain visas such as the H-1B program for skilled workers.
Critics argue the policy represents a significant shift against lawful migration. David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, described the approach as the most restrictive stance on legal immigration in U.S. history, warning that the suspension could block nearly half of all potential legal immigrants and affect roughly 315,000 people over the next year.
According to the State Department, more than 100,000 visas have already been revoked since President Trump took office. The administration has also expanded social media checks and tightened background screening for visa applicants.
Trump has defended the tougher policies as necessary after years of elevated illegal immigration under former President Joe Biden.
Full List of Countries Affected
U.S. officials said the suspension will apply to immigrant visa applicants from the following 75 countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Visitor Visas Unaffected
Officials clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect visitor visas. This distinction is particularly notable as the United States prepares to host major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
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