The US has paused immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, tightening public charge rules and deepening uncertainty for thousands of applicants.
A view of a US embassy as visa processing is paused for applicants from dozens of countries amid tighter immigration rules (Photo: Pinterest)
US Visa Process: The United States has gone all the way in a surprise step to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for applicants hailing from 75 countries. Announced via internal guidance through the State Department, the move reflects a new attempt by the administration to stringently enforce the long-standing statutes designed to stop immigrants from becoming dependent on public assistance. Although this is framed as an administrative review, the global attention and uncertainty that thousands of prospective migrants feel come because of the scale and timing of the suspension.
According to officials, it's the result of the heightened application of the "public charge" aspect of US immigration law, wherein consular officials can deny visas if applicants are considered likely to depend on government-funded benefits. Starting January 21, the issuance of visas for those countries will be stopped indefinitely as the screening and vetting standards are reviewed. The State Department says this step is meant to protect US taxpayer resources while ensuring that already-existing legal authority is enforced consistently.
The countries affected by the suspension include a total of 75 nations spread across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as some countries in Europe and South America. The nations affected include Somalia, Nigeria, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, Thailand and Yemen. Africa is well-represented, with over 25 countries having been affected. This indicates the magnitude of the impact that the measure has been set to create.
The rule of public charge dates back several decades, with changes in enforcing the regulation throughout the years. The current regulation indicates that consulate officials must consider a wide range of criteria, such as age, health, economic well-being, English language abilities, and likely need for long-term medical care. Applicants with senior status, serious illnesses, and lack of economic support could see their chances of inadmissibility increase. The revised rule from 2022 restricts the term to mostly cash support and institutional services, whereas the existing policy indicates a harsher rule.
This policy is part of a wider crackdown on immigration being pursued by the Donald Trump Presidency. Since his re-election, President Trump has repeatedly highlighted the need for more secure control of the border as well as less immigration into the country. In November, he explicitly asked for a moratorium on immigration from certain areas as a result of a significant concern for a security-related incident that took place. This policy is just the latest significant suspension of visas during his Presidency.
With no timeline in sight concerning the resumption of processing, this halt in processing creates uncertainty for would-be immigrants as well as for the U.S. consulates. Exceptions will be considered exceptional and granted to applicants who have passed rigorous tests. In the meantime, consulates have been instructed to disqualify applicants who violate public charge rules, further ensuring that immigrants are entering an environment that is tough and restricting.
The visa processing pause applies to a wide group of 75 countries spanning Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. The affected nations include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the 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, the 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 and Yemen.
