The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it will pause the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. These countries have been identified by the Trump administration as likely to require public assistance while residing in the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s department stated that consular officers have been directed to stop accepting immigrant visa applications from the affected countries in line with a broader order issued in November. This order aims to tighten regulations concerning potential immigrants who may become “public charges” in the U.S.
The suspension, set to commence on January 21, will not impact applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, such as temporary tourist or business visas, which constitute the majority of visa requests. However, there is an anticipated surge in demand for non-immigrant visas in light of the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, events that the U.S. will either host or co-host.
In a statement, the department emphasized that the administration aims to prevent the exploitation of the American immigration system by individuals seeking to benefit from public welfare. Consequently, immigrant visa processing from the 75 countries will be temporarily halted while the State Department reviews immigration procedures to safeguard against the entry of foreign nationals who might rely on welfare and public benefits.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, stringent restrictions have already been imposed on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of numerous countries, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The November guidance, upon which the recent decision is based, tasked U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials with thoroughly vetting visa applicants to ensure they will not become dependent on government benefits post-admission to the U.S.
Furthermore, the new guidelines broaden the scope by requiring consular officials to consider various factors about visa applicants, such as their age, health, family status, finances, education, skills, and past use of public assistance, regardless of their nationality. Additionally, applicants’ English proficiency may now be assessed through interviews conducted in English, further restricting entry into the country.
The affected countries by the visa suspension include a wide range of nations from Afghanistan to Yemen. This move reflects the administration’s continued efforts to tighten immigration rules and ensure that those entering the country will not be reliant on public assistance.