United States Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries: What Applicants Need to Know

The United States has placed an indefinite pause on the processing of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, a move that signals a sharp tightening of immigration screening standards under the current administration. The decision directly affects applicants from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Uruguay, and dozens of other nations across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

According to information first reported by Fox News, the suspension is part of a broader effort by the United States Department of State to reinforce admissibility rules—particularly those linked to the long-standing “public charge” doctrine in U.S. immigration law.

When Does the Measure Take Effect?

The pause is scheduled to begin on January 21 and has no announced end date. Consular officers worldwide have reportedly been instructed to withhold approvals and issue refusals under existing law while the Department of State conducts a comprehensive review of screening and vetting procedures.

In practice, this means that many immigrant visa cases will be stalled or denied until new internal guidelines are finalized.

The Core Legal Basis: The “Public Charge” Standard

At the heart of this policy is a stricter interpretation of the public charge clause, a provision that allows U.S. authorities to deny entry to foreign nationals who may become financially dependent on government assistance.

Under internal guidance circulated to U.S. consulates in late 2025, officers are now expected to evaluate applicants more aggressively based on factors such as:

• Age

• Physical and mental health

• English-language proficiency

• Financial resources and income stability

• Past use of public benefits

• Potential need for long-term medical or institutional care

• 
  

According to reporting cited by Fox News, this approach could lead to visa denials for older applicants, individuals with chronic health conditions, or those who have previously relied on state aid, even outside the United States.

A spokesperson for the Department of State, Tommy Pigott, summarized the administration’s stance by stating that the U.S. will use its legal authority to block entry to individuals who might “abuse the generosity of the American public.”

Countries Affected by the Suspension

The list spans multiple regions and includes both developing and middle-income nations. In the Americas and the Caribbean, affected countries include:

• Brazil

• Colombia

• Cuba

• Haiti

• Uruguay

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Bahamas

• Barbados

• Belize

• Dominica

• Grenada

• Guatemala

• Jamaica

• Nicaragua

• Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Saint Lucia

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

  
  

Beyond the Western Hemisphere, the suspension also applies to countries such as Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Egypt, Thailand, Somalia, and Yemen, among many others.

A Broader Shift in U.S. Immigration Policy

This development does not stand alone. Since returning to office, Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a central pillar of his second term. Official data indicates that over 100,000 visas have already been revoked, marking one of the most aggressive enforcement periods in recent U.S. history.

Additional measures introduced alongside the visa pause include:

• Expanded background and security checks

• Increased scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity

• Broader discretionary authority for consular officers

  
  

The public charge rule itself is not new—it has existed for decades—but its application has shifted significantly depending on the administration. During Trump’s first term, the rule was expanded in 2019 to include a wider range of social benefits. That expansion was partially blocked by U.S. courts and later scaled back under Joe Biden, whose administration limited the rule mainly to cash assistance and long-term institutional care.

The current pause marks a return to a more restrictive philosophy, signaling that economic self-sufficiency will once again be a decisive factor in U.S. immigration decisions.

What This Means for Applicants and Families

For individuals and families from affected countries, the implications are serious:

• New immigrant visa applications may be denied or frozen

• Processing times are likely to become longer and more unpredictable

• Financial documentation and proof of independence will carry greater weight than ever

• Strategic alternatives—such as other residency pathways or second-citizenship planning—are becoming increasingly relevant

Strategic Takeaway

This policy shift reinforces a broader global trend: migration systems are becoming more selective, more financial-based, and more discretionary. For professionals, investors, and families seeking mobility or a “Plan B,” relying on a single destination is now riskier than ever.

Careful legal planning, diversified residency strategies, and early preparation are no longer optional—they are essential.

Full List of the 75 Countries Affected

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, 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, Yemen.

If you are affected by recent U.S. immigration policy changes or want to evaluate alternative residency and citizenship strategies, our legal team is ready to assist you.

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