01/15/2026
Asim Siddiqui (Washington DC)
U.S. to Suspend Immigrant Visa Processing for Nationals of 75 Countries From January 21, 2026
Washington — The United States will suspend immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries beginning January 21, 2026, according to multiple international media reports citing U.S. State Department communications. The move marks one of the broadest visa-related actions in recent years and is expected to affect thousands of prospective immigrants worldwide.
The decision applies exclusively to immigrant visas, which are issued to individuals seeking permanent residence in the United States, including family-sponsored and employment-based green cards processed through U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Non-immigrant visas — including tourist, business, and student visas — are not covered by the suspension, though officials indicate that screening standards for all applicants may become more stringent.
Importantly, no end date has been announced. Officials have described the measure as open-ended, meaning the suspension will remain in place until further notice following a policy review.
Rationale Behind the Decision
According to reporting by Reuters, the Associated Press, and other outlets, the suspension is tied to concerns related to the U.S. government’s “public charge” framework — a long-standing immigration principle that evaluates whether an immigrant is likely to rely on public assistance programs after entering the country.
U.S. officials argue that the pause will allow authorities to reassess screening mechanisms and ensure that new permanent residents are financially self-sufficient. Critics, however, say the policy disproportionately impacts developing nations and risks separating families while increasing global uncertainty around legal migration pathways.
The 75 Countries Affected
The suspension spans multiple regions, including South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The countries named in reports are:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, 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.
U.S. authorities have not released the list through a single formal public notice; instead, it has been compiled from internal memoranda and confirmed by major international news organizations.
What Is Not Affected
Despite widespread confusion on social media, the suspension does not apply to visit visas, business visas, or student visas, all of which fall under non-immigrant categories. Individuals seeking to travel temporarily to the United States for tourism, education, or short-term work can still apply, although immigration experts warn of tighter scrutiny and longer processing times.
Broader Implications
Immigration analysts say the decision could have lasting consequences for U.S. relations with affected countries and may lead to legal challenges. Human rights groups have also expressed concern that the policy lacks transparency and disproportionately affects nationals from conflict-affected or economically vulnerable states.
For now, applicants from the listed countries who were planning to immigrate permanently to the United States face an uncertain future, with no clear timeline for when normal processing might resume.
As of mid-January 2026, the State Department has not indicated whether exemptions or waivers will be available, nor has it outlined specific benchmarks for lifting the suspension.
