- US
State Department suspends immigrant visas. - Targets
citizens of 75 countries. - Includes
Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia.
In compliance with a more comprehensive order issued in
November that tightened regulations regarding prospective immigrants who might
become “public charges” in the United States, the State Department,
under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said it had directed
consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected
countries.
Applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, as well as temporary
tourist or business visas, which comprise the great majority of visa aspirants,
will not be affected by the suspension, which will start on January 21.
The impending 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, both of
which the United States will host or co-host, are predicted to significantly
increase demand for non-immigrant visas in the future months and years.
“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 said in a statement.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries
will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing
procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and
public benefits.”
The administration
of U.S. President Donald Trump has already significantly limited the processing
of immigrant and non-immigrant visas for people of numerous nations, many of
which are in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
The November directive, which served as the foundation for
Wednesday’s ruling, instructed U.S. Embassy and Consulate representatives to
thoroughly and thoroughly screen visa applicants in order to show that they won’t
require public assistance from the government at any point after being admitted
to the country.
A medical examination by a doctor who has been authorized by
the U.S. Embassy is a prerequisite for entry into the country. In addition to
being checked for illnesses like tuberculosis, they are asked about any past
drug or alcohol usage, mental health issues, or violent incidents.
Additionally, they must get several vaccines.
The countries affected by the suspension announced on
Wednesday are:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua
and Barbuda - Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape
Verde - Colombia
- Congo
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ivory
Coast - Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- 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
- Yemen
What exceptions exist for family reunification cases?
No specific exceptions for family reunification cases have
been detailed in the US State Department’s advertisement of the emigrant visa
processing suspense for citizens of the 75 affected countries.
The policy emphasizes an indefinite pause on indigenous visa
processing, including family- grounded orders, but notes limited quitclaims may
apply for politic, exigency philanthropic cases, or US public interest
determinations as determined by consular officers on a case- by- case
basis.
Similar exceptions generally bear proving no public charge
threat and critical circumstances, though no unequivocal sculpt- outs for
consorts, children, or parents were stressed in the original rollout. Aspirants
in family reunification orders( IR/ CR visas) from listed countries face
processing gridlocks starting January 21, 2026, with consulates instructed to
prioritize reviews only for qualifying quit claims.
