The United States has placed a temporary stop on immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Iraq, as immigration authorities review applicants who may rely heavily on public assistance if admitted.
The pause, announced by the U.S. State Department, will begin on January 21 and has no fixed end date. During this period, consular officers are expected to tighten screening procedures and reassess how visa applicants are evaluated across affected countries. Nations impacted by the decision range from Somalia and Afghanistan to Brazil, Egypt, Thailand, and Yemen.
This move follows growing concerns within the U.S. government over immigration-related welfare abuse. Attention intensified after a major fraud case in Minnesota involving misuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. The scandal, which involved several Somali and Somali-American individuals, has prompted authorities to take a harder look at benefit-related risks tied to immigration.
As part of the renewed enforcement, U.S. officials are leaning heavily on the long-standing “public charge” rule. Under this policy, visa officers can refuse applications if they believe an individual may struggle financially or depend on government support after arrival. Factors such as age, health, financial stability, work prospects, and language ability may all influence final decisions.
According to a State Department spokesperson, the suspension is meant to safeguard public resources while ensuring that immigration systems are not exploited. Visa processing for the affected countries will remain on hold until the review is completed.
Full List of Affected Countries
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte 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, and Yemen.
What This Means Going Forward
For applicants from the affected countries, the announcement signals delays, uncertainty, and tougher scrutiny in the U.S. immigration process. While the suspension does not cancel existing visas or guarantee future denials, it does mean longer waiting periods and stricter assessments once processing resumes.
Immigration observers say the decision could significantly affect families, students, and skilled workers hoping to relocate, especially if the pause extends for several months.
