The U.S. State Department has declared that it will indefinitely suspend processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This measure was announced by the current Trump administration as part of a broader immigration policy shift. Under this decision, consular officers abroad will “pause” or refuse immigrant visa applications from nationals of these countries until further notice.
This suspension applies only to immigrant visas, which are the visas that lead to permanent residency or “green card” status. Non-immigrant visas — such as tourist, student, work, and business visas — are not covered by this policy and can still be processed.
Why the Suspension Was Put in Place
Officials have justified the policy by saying it is meant to reduce the number of immigrants who might rely on public benefits or become “public charges” after arriving in the United States. The administration asserts that this will ensure that new immigrants are financially self-sufficient and not burdens on government systems. This approach builds on existing rules that allow consular officers to consider factors like financial stability, age, health, education, and past use of welfare or public assistance when deciding visa eligibility. The decision is part of a larger effort to tighten immigration screening criteria.
Countries Affected
The list of 75 countries spans multiple regions of the world including Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. While specific countries may vary slightly in reporting, those commonly included are:
- Africa: Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Ghana, Sierra Leone
- Asia & Middle East: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh, Thailand
- Europe & Balkans: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Russia
- Latin America & Caribbean: Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, Cuba, Guatemala
This broad list includes both nations with historically high immigration to the U.S. and others where migration levels are lower. Dual nationals holding valid passports from countries not on the list may be exempt.
Supporters’ and Government Views
Supporters of the measure argue that this pause will:
- Strengthen immigration screening by ensuring only financially stable immigrants are admitted.
- Protect limited public resources by reducing entry of people perceived to be dependent on welfare systems.
- Serve as a tool for comprehensive immigration reform focused on self-sufficiency and job market needs.
- Officials also state that this step is part of a series of policy changes intended to modernize and enforce immigration laws and reduce fraud.
Criticisms and Concerns
Many critics — including immigration advocates, economists, and foreign policy experts — argue that the suspension:
- Unfairly targets entire countries and penalties may not align with individual immigrant capacity or contributions.
- Could slow economic growth, since immigrants often fill labor shortages and contribute to business growth.
- Affects family reunification and employment-based immigration paths for many legal applicants awaiting visas.
- Experts also point out that broad classifications based on “public charge” risk may be overly simplistic and fail to reflect the diverse financial situations of immigrants from these countries.
Practical Effects for Immigrants
People from the affected countries who are planning to apply for immigrant visas now face:
- Delays or indefinite pauses in their ability to get permanent residency abroad.
- Stricter scrutiny during application interviews.
- Possible need to explore alternative visa routes like employment or student visas, which are not currently suspended.
- Dual citizens using passports from non-suspended countries may still qualify for immigrant visas under certain circumstances.
Looking Ahead
This move represents one of the most significant visa policy changes in recent years and is likely to remain a topic of political debate both inside the United States and in countries with large numbers of potential migrants. Its long-term impact on immigration patterns, international relations, and labor markets will become clearer as implementation unfolds
