The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it will pause the processing of immigrant visas for individuals from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. These countries have been identified by the Trump administration as potentially needing public assistance while residing in the United States.
Under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department has instructed consular officers to stop accepting immigrant visa applications from the affected countries in line with a broader directive issued in November. This directive aimed to tighten regulations concerning prospective immigrants who may become “public charges” in the U.S.
Commencing on January 21, the visa suspension will not impact applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, such as temporary tourist or business visas, which constitute the majority of visa requests. Anticipated growth in demand for non-immigrant visas is expected due to the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, events that the U.S. will either host or co-host.
The State Department stated that the move is intended to prevent exploitation of the U.S. immigration system by individuals seeking to benefit from American resources. It highlighted that immigrant visa processing from the 75 designated countries will be halted while immigration procedures are reassessed to deter the entry of foreign nationals reliant on welfare and public benefits.
President Donald Trump’s administration has previously imposed stringent restrictions on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of numerous countries, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The November guidelines, which underpin the recent decision, instructed U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials to thoroughly scrutinize visa applicants to ensure they will not require government assistance once in the U.S.
The new guidelines introduce additional criteria for visa applicants, including age, health, family status, finances, education, skills, and any prior use of public aid, irrespective of their country of origin. It also emphasizes the assessment of English proficiency through interviews conducted in English.
Experts have voiced concerns that these stricter measures could further limit entry into the U.S., especially as the administration continues to tighten immigration regulations. The suspension affects citizens from a wide range of countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia among others.