US to pause immigrant visa processing for 75 countries: Full list of affected nations

The US Department of State will pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of up to 75 countries starting January 21, a move that further tightens legal immigration pathways under the Trump administration. The pause is open-ended and no timeline has been given for when processing may resume.

What the State Department announced

The department says the move is aimed at curbing what it describes as abuse of public benefit systems by new arrivals. In a statement posted on X, the State Department said the goal was to stop “those who would extract wealth from the American people” by relying on welfare and government assistance after entry.

“This freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the department said.

The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure

that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.

— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026

"The Trump Administration will always put America First," it said in another post.

How the public charge rule is being applied

According to a State Department memo cited by Fox News Digital, consular offices have been instructed to refuse immigrant visas under existing law while screening and vetting rules are reviewed.

The guidance relies on the long-standing “public charge” provision of U.S. immigration law - that rule allows officials to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public benefits.

Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department, said the department will use that authority to “deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States.”

The memo directs officers to weigh multiple factors while reviewing applications. These include age, health, financial resources, English proficiency, prior use of government assistance, and the likelihood of requiring long-term medical care.

Officials say no new law is being created. The department is instead tightening enforcement of existing standards.

Which countries are affected by the US visa freeze

The department has said the pause in issuing immigrant visas will apply to nationals from up to 75 countries. These include:

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Burma
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Colombia
Cote d’Ivoire
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dominica
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
The Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Haiti
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Pakistan
Republic of the Congo
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Yemen

What happens to pending visa applications

The pause applies only to immigrant visas - not temporary travel or diplomatic visas. The State Department says the review process is ongoing. No timeline has been given for when processing may resume. For now, applications from affected countries will not move forward. Pending cases will remain on hold until further notice.