The U.S. Department of State (DoS) recently announced an indefinite suspension of processing of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries. The US DoS has noted that migrants from these countries are likely to rely on U.S. public welfare programs. This suspension in processing of immigrant visas is a part of an expanded enforcement of the public charge provisions of U.S. immigration law.
Effectively, starting January 21, 2026; immigrant visas will not be issued to applicants who are nationals of one of these 75 countries, until the department completes a review of its screening and vetting procedures.
It is important to note that non-immigrant visas including B-1/B-2 (Business/Tourist), F-1 (Student) visas are not included in the pause.
The policy reinforces the longstanding public charge rules that confer consular officers the discretion to refuse immigration benefits to individuals deemed likely to depend on government assistance. The current administration has broadened the application of these rules and directed consular posts around the world to refuse immigrant visa applications from the affected countries while a review is conducted.
Officials confirm that the pause will remain in effect “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”
List of countries affected by the visa processing pause:
| Africa | |
| · Cameroon | · Nigeria |
| · Cape Verde | · Republic of the Congo |
| · Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | · Rwanda |
| · Democratic Republic of the Congo | · Senegal |
| · Egypt | · Sierra Leone |
| · Eritrea | · Somalia |
| · Ethiopia | · South Sudan |
| · The Gambia | · Sudan |
| · Ghana | · Syria |
| · Guinea | · Tanzania |
| · Haiti | · Togo |
| · Liberia | · Tunisia |
| · Libya | · Uganda |
| · Morocco | · Yemen |
| Asia | |
| Afghanistan | Kazakhstan |
| Armenia | Kosovo |
| Azerbaijan | Kuwait |
| Bangladesh | Kyrgyz Republic |
| Bhutan | Laos |
| Burma (Myanmar) | Lebanon |
| Cambodia | Mongolia |
| Georgia | Nepal |
| Iraq | Pakistan |
| Iran | Syria |
| Jamaica | Thailand |
| Jordan | Uzbekistan |
| Europe & Eurasia | Caribbean & Latin America |
| Albania | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Belarus | Bahamas |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Barbados |
| Moldova | Belize |
| Montenegro | Colombia |
| North Macedonia | Cuba |
| Other Nations | Dominica |
| Azerbaijan | Guatemala |
| Fiji | Nicaragua |
| Kazakhstan | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Kosovo | Saint Lucia |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | |
| Uruguay | |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Immigrant Visa Appointments
Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the affected countries may continue to submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. The Department will also continue to schedule interview appointments. However, no immigrant visas will be issued to these applicants during the pause.
Exceptions
Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country not included in the affected list are exempt from this pause.
Effect on current valid visa
This pause does not affect persons who already have an immigrant visas as long as they continue to be valid. For questions related to entry into the United States, applicants should contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Conclusion
Nationals of these countries will be affected irrespective of the country they currently reside in or apply from. We will continue to monitor and bring latest updates on this important topic. The official notification can be found here.