U.S. State Department Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Nations

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. This decision, effective January 21, 2026, is part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to restrict legal immigration, citing concerns that individuals from these nations might require public assistance upon entry to the United States.

Policy Rationale and Scope

The State Department, under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stated that the suspension aims to 'prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits' and to 'ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.' This move builds upon a broader order issued in November that tightened rules regarding potential immigrants who might become a 'public charge'—an economic burden—on the U.S. Consular officers were previously instructed to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits based on factors such as health, age, economic situation, and language abilities. It is important to note that this suspension specifically applies to immigrant visa applications, which are for individuals seeking to move to the U.S. permanently. It does not affect applications for non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism, business, or temporary stays.

Affected Countries and Implementation

While the State Department did not formally release a complete list of the 75 affected countries, a memo obtained by Fox News and confirmed by other news outlets provided a comprehensive roster. The list spans countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Nations explicitly mentioned include:

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Algeria
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Russia
• Somalia
• Syria
• Thailand
• Yemen

Applicants from these countries may still submit visa applications and attend interviews; however, no immigrant visas will be issued during the indefinite pause. Exceptions to the suspension include dual nationals holding a valid passport from a country not on the list, or if the applicant's travel is deemed to serve an 'America First' national interest.

Broader Immigration Context

This action is the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration aimed at tightening U.S. immigration standards. The administration has consistently emphasized the importance of financial self-sufficiency for immigrants and has sought to reduce reliance on public benefits. The suspension reflects an ongoing re-evaluation of procedures for determining whether visa applicants are inadmissible based on public charge grounds.