MENA Newswire, WASHINGTON: The United States will suspend the processing of immigrant visa applications for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, the State Department said, citing public assistance concerns under longstanding “public charge” standards used in immigration adjudications. The pause applies to immigrant visas issued through U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and affects applicants seeking lawful permanent residence. The department said the measure is part of a reassessment of procedures used to evaluate whether applicants are likely to rely on government funded benefits.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed the change after reports that U.S. posts had been instructed to stop issuing immigrant visas for affected nationalities while the department reviews guidance used by consular officers. The department told posts to refuse visas under current authorities during the reassessment. The department described the suspension as tied to a broader administration approach aimed at limiting access to public benefits by foreign nationals and tightening screening for eligibility during the visa process.
Countries included in the suspension include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand, among others. The affected nationalities span multiple regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and parts of Eastern Europe. The State Department said the total scope covers 75 countries. The department also said the suspension applies to cases that have reached advanced stages of processing if a visa has not yet been issued, and no end date has been announced.
The department said the suspension is limited to immigrant visas. Nonimmigrant visas, including tourist, business and student categories, will continue to be processed. The department also issued guidance to embassies and consulates to continue screening nonimmigrant applicants under existing eligibility standards, including assessments related to potential public benefits use. Immigrant visa applicants remain subject to standard vetting requirements, including financial documentation, medical examinations and background checks.
Immigrant visa processing pause and scope
The suspension affects the overseas consular process for obtaining lawful permanent residence, including family sponsored and employment based immigrant visas. Under the instruction, U.S. embassies and consulates may continue to accept applications and conduct interviews, but final visa issuance will be paused for covered nationalities during the review period. Cases that have been approved but not yet issued will be held. The department said the action does not revoke visas already issued and does not affect lawful permanent residents.
The policy was announced by the State Department under Secretary of State Marco Rubio and forms part of broader immigration enforcement and visa policy actions under President Donald Trump’s administration. The department has not provided a timeline for completion of the review or for issuing updated guidance to posts conducting immigrant visa processing.
Public charge standards and visa adjudication
U.S. immigration law allows officials to consider whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge when determining eligibility for permanent residence. That assessment involves evaluating a range of factors and documentation, including financial resources and support, as part of the overall adjudication process. The State Department said the suspension is tied to how these standards are applied in immigrant visa processing for the affected nationalities.
The department said applicants and petitioners should rely on official communications from U.S. embassies and consulates for case specific updates. The action applies to immigrant visa processing for the covered nationalities and does not affect general travel. The department confirmed the Jan. 21 start date for the suspension and said a consolidated public list of the 75 countries was not released with the initial notice.