U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries
WASHINGTON — Starting January 21, the Trump administration will suspend immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. The policy targets what officials describe as abuse of public benefits by foreign nationals seeking permanent U.S. residency. The suspension affects countries including Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Thailand, Albania, Russia, Uruguay, and Egypt, according to Travel EI News. Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, and Yemen also appear on the list based on verified reporting. This is not a travel ban in the traditional sense. Applicants can still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. What stops is the actual issuance of immigrant visas, the documents allowing permanent residency. Non-immigrant visas for tourism, business, and temporary visits are not affected by this directive.Public Charge Framework Drives Policy
The administration's framing centers on what it calls preventing foreign nationals from becoming a drain on U.S. government resources. "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," said Tommy Pigott, State Department principal deputy spokesman, according to verified statements. Pigott elaborated on the policy intent: "Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits." The public charge rule, a longstanding but inconsistently enforced provision of U.S. immigration law, allows denial of visas or green cards to applicants deemed likely to rely on government assistance such as cash welfare, Medicaid, or subsidized housing. The Biden administration had rolled back stricter Trump-era interpretations of this rule. This suspension signals a return to a more aggressive stance.Overlapping Restrictions and Regional Tensions
This policy does not exist in isolation. In December 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10998 expanded travel restrictions to 39 countries on national security grounds. Some nations now face dual restrictions: both the security-based travel ban and this new public charge suspension. For countries like Somalia, the impact is compounded. The administration also announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for approximately 2,400 Somalis, set to take effect in March 2026. President Donald Trump recently described Somali immigrants as "garbage," according to verified public statements, signaling a broader rhetorical and policy targeting of specific national groups. Countries already under comprehensive travel bans may see limited practical change from this new suspension, since visa issuance was already restricted. But for nations like Brazil, Thailand, and Albania, which have not faced blanket entry bans, this represents a significant new barrier for families, refugees, and employment-based immigrants.What This Means for Travelers and Families
The suspension targets immigrant visas, not the full spectrum of U.S. travel documents. B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas, student visas, and exchange visitor permits remain unaffected. But the policy directly impacts: • Family reunification cases, including spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens and green card holders. • Refugees and asylum seekers from conflict zones like Syria, Sudan, Myanmar, and Yemen who had been approved for resettlement. • Employment-based immigrants, including skilled workers and professionals sponsored by U.S. employers. • Diversity visa lottery winners from affected countries. Applicants in these categories will continue through the process but hit a wall at the final step. They can pay fees, attend interviews, and receive approvals, but no visa will be issued until the suspension lifts or procedures are revised. The administration has carved out one notable exemption: nationals of affected countries traveling for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. Nearly two million tickets have already been sold, and officials have indicated these visitors will not face barriers under this policy.Practical Realities on the Ground
For consular officers and applicants, the suspension creates operational uncertainty. Interviews scheduled after January 21 will proceed, but outcomes are frozen. Applicants approved under current procedures face an indefinite wait for document issuance while the State Department revises its public charge assessment framework. Haiti offers a case study in scale. Between May 2024 and April 2025, the U.S. issued 13,051 visas to Haitian nationals, according to verified statistics. If Haiti is among the 75 countries, thousands of pending family and humanitarian cases now enter limbo. U.S. employers relying on employment-based immigration from these nations face workforce gaps. Tech firms, healthcare systems, and agriculture operations that sponsor skilled workers or seasonal laborers will see recruitment pipelines stall. Diplomatic fallout is likely. Countries on the list may retaliate with visa reciprocity measures, restricting U.S. nationals seeking travel or residency abroad. This pattern played out during prior travel ban iterations, when targeted nations imposed mirror restrictions on American travelers.What Comes Next
The suspension is indefinite. No timeline has been set for revised procedures or resumption of visa issuance. The State Department's reassessment could take weeks, months, or longer, depending on political priorities and resource allocation. Critics argue the policy disrupts legitimate immigration pathways while doing little to address actual welfare fraud, which remains statistically rare among immigrant visa holders. Proponents frame it as a necessary reset to enforce existing law and protect taxpayer resources. For travelers, the takeaway is clear: immigrant visa pathways from 75 countries are now on hold. Applications continue, but outcomes are frozen. If your case involves a national from one of these countries, expect delays, legal ambiguity, and no clear end date. This is policy as disruption, and the on-the-ground reality is uncertainty.About the Author
Jeff Colhoun
Jeff Colhoun is an acclaimed travel writer, photographer, and filmmaker, whose work is respected both in the United States and internationally.