U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing For Citizens Of 75 Countries

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department announced that it will indefinitely suspend processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, a move the administration says is intended to tighten screening and reduce the number of individuals who might become reliant on U.S. public assistance. The suspension will take effect Jan. 21, 2026, and applies to immigrant visas only, not nonimmigrant visas such as those for tourism, study or temporary work.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed consular officers worldwide to halt decisions on immigrant visa applications for nationals of the affected countries, which span Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. The move builds on earlier immigration restrictions and is based on an internal review of immigration screening procedures under the longstanding public charge rule that evaluates whether applicants are likely to need public benefits after entry.

The State Department said the pause will remain in place as it reassesses policies and guidance to prevent admission of individuals likely to rely on U.S. welfare or government assistance programs. Officials have expanded vetting procedures to include factors such as age, health, family status, finances, education, English language ability and any past use of public benefits when evaluating applicants.

Critics of the decision say it goes far beyond traditional immigration enforcement and may significantly limit legal pathways for family reunification and employment-based permanent residency for hundreds of thousands of people. Supporters of the policy argue that prioritizing applicants who demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and minimizing potential public assistance burdens are legitimate goals of immigration enforcement, especially amid broader efforts to tighten border and visa controls. The administration has stressed that nonimmigrant visa processing will continue and that exceptions may exist for dual nationals and specific humanitarian cases.

The suspension is expected to affect thousands of families and workers awaiting green cards and may have implications for employers, universities and international travel. Officials say the pause is temporary and intended to review and strengthen visa screening procedures, while observers note it could slow some legal immigration processes.