The United States Department of State has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Thailand, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, and many others across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
According to reports citing an internal State Department memo (first revealed by Fox News on January 14, 2026), the pause will take effect from January 21, 2026, and will continue until the department completes a reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures.
The decision is tied to stricter enforcement of the "public charge" provision in US immigration law, which allows officials to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits or government assistance. This follows updated guidance issued in November 2025, directing consular officers to consider additional factors such as age, health, English proficiency, financial resources, employment prospects, and potential long-term medical needs when assessing applications.
Important Clarification: The suspension applies specifically to immigrant visas (for permanent residency and long-term settlement). It does not affect non-immigrant visas (such as temporary tourist, business, or student visas), though some reports suggest broader impacts or confusion in initial coverage.
Key details from the announcement and reports include:
No official response from the Nigerian government or other affected nations has been widely reported yet. Prospective applicants are advised to monitor updates directly from the US Embassy or State Department websites for the latest guidance.
The full list of affected countries reportedly includes (partial, based on multiple sources): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote 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, 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, and others.
This policy shift marks one of the most extensive visa restrictions in recent years and could have wide-reaching implications for global mobility.
According to reports citing an internal State Department memo (first revealed by Fox News on January 14, 2026), the pause will take effect from January 21, 2026, and will continue until the department completes a reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures.
The decision is tied to stricter enforcement of the "public charge" provision in US immigration law, which allows officials to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits or government assistance. This follows updated guidance issued in November 2025, directing consular officers to consider additional factors such as age, health, English proficiency, financial resources, employment prospects, and potential long-term medical needs when assessing applications.
Important Clarification: The suspension applies specifically to immigrant visas (for permanent residency and long-term settlement). It does not affect non-immigrant visas (such as temporary tourist, business, or student visas), though some reports suggest broader impacts or confusion in initial coverage.
Key details from the announcement and reports include:
- Scope: Halts processing for immigrant visa applications from the listed 75 countries; consular officers are instructed to refuse visas under existing legal grounds during the review period.
- Duration: Indefinite no end date has been provided, pending completion of the reassessment.
- Exceptions: The State Department has not specified whether humanitarian cases or other exemptions will be granted.
- Background: The policy aligns with the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to strengthen immigration controls and prevent potential burdens on public resources. Heightened scrutiny on certain countries, like Somalia, stems from investigations into welfare fraud cases.
No official response from the Nigerian government or other affected nations has been widely reported yet. Prospective applicants are advised to monitor updates directly from the US Embassy or State Department websites for the latest guidance.
The full list of affected countries reportedly includes (partial, based on multiple sources): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote 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, 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, and others.
This policy shift marks one of the most extensive visa restrictions in recent years and could have wide-reaching implications for global mobility.