The US State Department announced on Wednesday that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.
The move comes as part of the Trump administration’s effort to ensure immigrants are financially self-sufficient and do not rely on public assistance in the United States, according to the Gulf News.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries in line with a broader November order. That order tightened rules around immigrants who may become “public charges” while living in the US.
“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” the department said in a statement.
Affected countries
The suspension will take effect on 21 January 2026 and covers applicants from countries across Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, 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, and Yemen.
Focus on financial self-sufficiency
President Trump has repeatedly emphasised that immigrants must be financially independent and should not become a burden on American taxpayers. The State Department said it is reviewing all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure immigrants from the designated countries do not use welfare or other public support.
The suspension applies only to immigrant visas, which are required for those seeking permanent residence. Non-immigrant visas, such as temporary tourist, business, or student visas, are not affected and continue to be processed normally. These visas represent the majority of applicants to the United States.
Part of broader immigration efforts
The step builds on previous travel and immigration bans affecting nearly 40 countries. The administration has repeatedly framed these measures as a means to tighten US entry standards and prevent what it calls abuse of the immigration system.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the State Department said.
