The United States government has announced a sweeping suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, in what officials describe as a precautionary measure to strengthen national security.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed the move on Wednesday, saying: “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.”
According to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital, consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
The suspension will begin on January 21 and remain in place indefinitely until the review is complete.
Countries Affected
The suspension spans multiple continents:
- Africa (27 countries): Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, sudan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Uganda.
- Asia (22 countries): Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.
- Europe (8 countries): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Russia.
- North America & the Caribbean (13 countries): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- South America (3 countries): Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay.
- Oceania (1 country): Fiji.
Implications
The suspension affects thousands of prospective immigrants worldwide, many of whom were already in the process of applying for permanent residency in the US.
Officials argue the pause is necessary to reassess vetting procedures and ensure that immigration policies align with national security priorities.
The decision is the latest in a series of restrictive immigration measures under President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over America’s approach to foreign entry and long-term settlement.
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