- United States suspends immigrant visa processing for 75 countries starting January 21, 2026 indefinitely.
- Policy targets applicants considered potential public charges, tightening screening under Trump-era immigration framework.
- Non-immigrant visas remain valid, but affected nations span Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe regions.
The American government has declared an indefinite halt to the processing of immigrant visas for people from 75 different countries, representing one of the greatest orders to be issued in American immigration in recent history.
Effective January 21, 2026, the new regulation has been declared by the American State Department, being yet another step in the American immigration platform established by Trump.
It has been intensified in an effort to crack down on legal entry, focusing on individuals likely to be "public charges" in American society, meaning individuals requiring American governmental support.
Under the new policy, applications for immigrant visas submitted by respondents from those identified countries will not be accepted for processing until further notice. This is despite the continued review by the U.S. government to review its process of screening and vetting individuals to exclude those considered a potential burden on public welfare benefits.
Also read: India Simplifies Export Documentation for West Asia, Africa
Non-immigrant visas include tourist visas, business visas, and work visas, which are not subject to this new policy on suspension, though there may be increased screening requirements for some visas.
Countries that are affected by the new policy are many, and these include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Somalia, Brazil, Thailand, Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, among others, who are spread across different regions such as Asia, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
International attention was drawn by this policy because of its wide reach, considering that it affects citizens from different geopolitical fronts.
The U.S. State Department said that this pause will continue until it introduces other measures aimed at ensuring that immigrants meet stronger standards for financial stability. This newest policy decision further reinforces other limitations placed on immigration within the United States.