US Halts Visa Processing for 75 Countries Indefinitely
The United States government has taken a drastic step in immigration policy. It will freeze visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. This suspension starts on January 21 and has no set end date. Officials describe this as one of the Trump administration's most significant immigration moves.
Broad Impact Across Nations
The list of affected countries includes several nations with close ties to India. Iran, Russia, Somalia, and Afghanistan face the immediate halt. Other major countries on the list are Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen. The decision will shock applicants from Brazil and other nations where visa access was previously easier.
According to an internal State Department memo, consular officers must refuse visas under existing law. This action forms part of a larger effort to tighten enforcement of the "public charge" provision. The provision aims to deny entry to applicants who might rely on public welfare benefits.
Stricter Screening Standards
In November 2025, the State Department sent guidance to diplomatic posts worldwide. It instructed officers to apply stricter screening under the public charge rule. Officers must consider multiple factors when evaluating applicants.
- Health status and age
- English language proficiency
- Financial stability
- Potential need for long-term medical care
The guidance states that older or overweight applicants could face denial. Individuals with any past use of government cash assistance or institutional care may also be rejected.
Official Statement and Rationale
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott issued a clear statement. "The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States," Piggott said. He emphasized the need to prevent exploitation of American generosity.
Piggott added, "Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures." The goal is to stop foreign nationals from entering who might take welfare and public benefits.
Focus on Somalia and Fraud Concerns
Somalia receives particular attention in this policy shift. A major fraud investigation in Minnesota uncovered widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Federal officials identified many implicated individuals as Somali nationals or Somali-Americans. This case likely influenced the broader enforcement decision.
Limited Exceptions and Historical Context
Exceptions to the visa pause will be "very limited" according to reports. Applicants must first clear public charge considerations to receive any exception.
The public charge provision has existed in US immigration law for decades. Enforcement has varied widely across different administrations. Consular officers traditionally enjoyed broad discretion in applying the standard.
Under the Biden administration's 2022 version of the rule, the scope narrowed significantly. It mainly considered cash assistance and long-term institutional care. Programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, Medicaid, and housing vouchers were excluded.
Political and Legal Background
The Immigration and Nationality Act has long allowed visa denials on public charge grounds. President Donald Trump expanded the definition in 2019 to include a broader range of public benefits. Courts challenged that move, blocking parts before the Biden administration rescinded it.
Now the Trump administration returns to stricter enforcement. The indefinite suspension represents a major shift in how the United States processes visas from dozens of countries. Millions of potential travelers and immigrants face uncertainty as procedures undergo reassessment.
