In a remarkable move affecting global travel and migration, the United States Department of State has announced a suspension of visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, and Yemen. The measure is set to take effect on January 21, 2026, and will remain in place indefinitely while the department reviews and tightens its screening and vetting procedures for visa applicants.
According to internal guidance reported by news outlets, U.S. consular officers have been instructed to refuse visa applications under existing laws during this reassessment period, with the goal of preventing the entry of individuals deemed likely to become “public charges”—a long-standing criterion in U.S. immigration law that allows visa denial if applicants are expected to rely heavily on government assistance.
The directive expands an earlier set of restrictions and aligns with broader immigration enforcement policies pursued by the current U.S. administration. Although the full list of affected countries has not yet been officially published, preliminary reports indicate that a wide range of nations across multiple continents are impacted.
This pause in processing affects both immigrant visas (for permanent relocation) and potentially non-immigrant visas (such as work, student, or tourist visas) for nationals of the listed countries, although specific details and exemptions may vary and are expected to be clarified through official U.S. government channels.
Travelers and prospective immigrants from affected countries are advised to monitor updates from the U.S. Embassy or the U.S. State Department, as the suspension could disrupt planned travel, work, study, or family-based relocation to the United States.
Here’s the most complete reported full list of the 75 countries whose U.S. visa processing (immigrant visas) is being paused beginning January 21, 2026 (based on current aggregated reporting — the U.S. government has not yet publicly published an official list but multiple sources cite this grouping):
Affected Countries (75)
- 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
- Yemen
Note
This list was compiled from media reports and online community source aggregations that cite the internal country list circulating with the U.S. visa pause policy.
The U.S. State Department has not yet officially released the definitive list — but this grouping reflects the 75 nations most consistently mentioned across current reporting.
Some countries may still be updated or clarified by official government announcements in the coming days.
