U.S. to Pause Immigrant Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it will suspend processing immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, starting January 21. The move targets nationals who are considered likely to rely on public assistance while living in the United States.

Secretary Marco Rubio said consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries. The suspension follows a broader policy introduced in November aimed at tightening rules for potential immigrants who might become “public charges.”

The pause will not affect non-immigrant visas, including temporary tourist or business visas.

In a statement, the State Department said, “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people.” The department added that it will reassess immigration procedures to prevent entry for individuals likely to use welfare or public benefits.

The full list of countries affected includes: 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 (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North 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.