U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published January 14, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

The U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday that the United States will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries effective January 21, 2026, to curb entry of foreign nationals deemed likely to require public assistance after entering the country.

In a statement, the State Department said the pause is part of a broader policy issued in November that tightens screening and vetting procedures for applicants who might become “public charges” under U.S. immigration law.

The suspension applies solely to immigrant visas—those leading to permanent residency—and does not affect nonimmigrant visas such as tourist, business, or student categories.

Countries named by media reports as part of the policy include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand, among others spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. The full list has not been officially released.

The department said the pause will remain in place while it reassesses processing procedures to ensure that new immigrants do not unduly burden U.S. public benefits systems, according to a spokesperson.

Human rights groups have criticized the move, saying it could adversely affect families seeking to reunite and individuals fleeing hardship. Critics argue the policy represents one of the most significant escalations in immigration enforcement under Donald Trump’s administration.