The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday it will pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals it says have historically had high rates of welfare use after arriving in the United States.
The freeze, scheduled to begin Jan. 21 and remain in place indefinitely while the department reviews screening and vetting procedures, is part of the administration’s effort to strengthen enforcement of the “public charge” provision of U.S. immigration law. The provision allows consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely primarily on public assistance.
In a post on X, the State Department said the pause is intended “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” and reiterated the administration’s “America First” approach. The department cited concerns that immigrants from the affected countries “often become public charges on the United States upon arrival.” Advocates and foreign policy experts have raised questions about the legality and potential diplomatic fallout of such a sweeping policy.
The pause includes, among others, nations such as Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen.
The “public charge” rule has been part of U.S. immigration law for decades, but its interpretation and enforcement have shifted significantly between administrations. Under current guidance, consular officers consider an applicant’s age, health, financial resources, education and employment prospects when determining whether someone is likely to become a public charge. Critics argue that expanded use of the public-charge standard risks discriminating against poorer migrants and families from developing countries.
The policy follows other immigration restrictions introduced by the Trump administration, which has tightened visa issuance and entry requirements on national security and immigration enforcement grounds since returning to office.
Full List of Countries Included in the Visa Processing Pause
According to multiple compiled reports and sources, the 75 countries affected by the visa pause include:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, 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 and Yemen.
Immigration advocates and legal experts warn the move could have broad humanitarian and economic impacts, disrupting family reunification, employment-based immigration and international relations with the countries affected. Some governments of listed nations have expressed concern, while supporters of the policy argue it is necessary to protect U.S. taxpayers and ensure that immigration benefits do not become a burden on public resources.
The State Department has said exceptions will be “very limited,” granted only when applicants successfully demonstrate they are unlikely to rely on public benefits.
