Trump administration halts immigrant visa processing for 75 countries

The pause, effective January 21, cites “public charge” concerns and follows last month’s expanded entry ban affecting citizens of 39 countries.

Another day, another immigration blitzkrieg. The Trump administration has announced plans to halt immigrant visa processing for 75 countries. The order takes effect on January 21 and includes countries such as Brazil, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. India is not among the countries affected by the pause.

Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department, said, “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.” Pigott added, “The indefinite pause is aimed at limiting applicants who are likely to become ‘public charge.’”

“Public charge” is a term used in U.S. immigration law to describe non-citizens who are deemed likely to rely on government subsistence. Factors used in determining whether an individual may become primarily dependent on public assistance include health, age, income, and prior use of cash assistance programs, among others. A public charge determination can result in the denial of a green card or even refusal of entry into the United States.

It is worth noting that just last month, the Trump administration expanded a full or partial ban on entry into the United States for citizens of 39 countries.

READ: US State Department revokes 95,000 visas in 2025 (December 24, 2025)

The suspension applies only to immigrant visas. Those seeking non-immigrant visas, such as tourist or short-term business visas, will not be affected by the order.

“The cases that seem to be affected are foreign nationals currently outside the US waiting for their immigrant visas,” immigration attorney Ingrid Perez of IBP Law told the American Bazaar. “They may be beneficiaries of family petitions or employment-based petitions for immigrant visas or green cards to live and work in the United States.”

Addressing the human cost of such sweeping orders, Perez said, “More families will be separated due to this delay even if they have enough income to satisfy the requirements of an affidavit of support.”

It may be noted that just last month, the Trump administration expanded a full or partial ban on entry into the United States for citizens of 39 countries.

According to the Associated Press, a separate notice was sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates, and the outlet reported that it had obtained a copy of the cable. The report said the cable urged consular officers to ensure that foreign nationals seeking to travel to the United States are fully vetted and screened to determine whether they may rely on public services before being issued a visa.

Here is the list of countries affected by the U.S. visa pause:

1. Afghanistan
2. Albania
3. Algeria
4. Antigua and Barbuda
5. Armenia
6. Azerbaijan
7. Bahamas
8. Bangladesh
9. Barbados
10. Belarus
11. Belize
12. Bhutan
13. Bosnia
14. Brazil
15. Burma
16. Cambodia
17. Cameroon
18. CapeVerde
19. Colombia
20. Coted’Ivoire
21. Cuba
22. DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo
23. Dominica
24. Egypt
25. Eritrea
26. Ethiopia
27. Fiji
28. Gambia
29. Georgia
30. Ghana
31. Grenada
32. Guatemala
33. Guinea
34. Haiti
35. Iran
36. Iraq
37. Jamaica
38. Jordan
39. Kazakhstan
40. Kosovo
41. Kuwait
42. Kyrgyzstan
43. Laos
44. Lebanon
45. Liberia
46. Libya
47. Macedonia
48. Moldova
49. Mongolia
50. Montenegro
51. Morocco
52. Nepal
53. Nicaragua
54. Nigeria
55. Pakistan
56. Republic of the Congo
57. Russia
58. Rwanda
59. SaintKittsandNevis
60. SaintLucia
61. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
62. Senegal
63. SierraLeone
64. Somalia
65. SouthSudan
66. Sudan
67. Syria
68. Tanzania
69. Thailand
70. Togo
71. Tunisia
72. Uganda
73. Uruguay
74. Uzbekistan
75. Yemen