US halts immigrant visas for 75 countries across Africa, Asia and Middle East in sweeping new Trump-era restriction

The United States has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, marking one of the most far-reaching restrictions on legal migration in recent years. The freeze, which takes effect on January 21, targets applicants based on nationality and affects countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Among the nations most impacted are Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand. The measure applies exclusively to individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States and does not cover tourists, business travelers or temporary workers, according to official statements.

A senior US official confirmed that the suspension has no fixed end date and will remain in place while the State Department conducts a comprehensive review of immigration procedures, news agencies reports.

The administration has already tightened vetting requirements over the past year, adding further layers to what is widely regarded as one of the world’s most rigorous visa screening systems.

Explaining the decision, the State Department said it is exercising its authority to deny visas to applicants who may become dependent on public welfare, extending that principle to a blanket suspension based on nationality.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the move was aimed at ending what he described as the abuse of America’s immigration system and preventing foreign nationals from drawing on public benefits.

He added that visa processing from the affected countries would remain paused while procedures are reassessed to safeguard national interests. The administration maintains that the policy is necessary to protect public resources and ensure stronger control over immigration.

However, several independent studies, including research by the Cato Institute and the American Immigration Council, have challenged the claim that immigrants place a disproportionate burden on public services, finding instead that they tend to use fewer benefits than US-born citizens.

The latest decision is expected to have a significant impact on family-based immigration, particularly affecting spouses, children and immediate relatives of US citizens who would otherwise qualify for permanent residency. Even cases in which visas have already been approved but not yet printed may be refused under the new directive.

Certain exceptions will apply, including to individuals holding dual nationality with a valid passport from a country not on the list, or in cases where travel is deemed to serve an “America First” national interest. The administration has also indicated that all applicants will continue to be subject to social media screening as part of enhanced security checks.

The sweeping restriction comes as President Donald Trump continues to pursue a hardline approach to immigration, a policy stance he has repeatedly defended since returning to office.

The State Department disclosed this week that more than 100,000 visas have been revoked over the past year, while the Department of Homeland Security reported that over 605,000 people have been deported and another 2.5 million have left the country voluntarily.

The move is likely to trigger international concern and renewed debate over the direction of US immigration policy, as families, employers and communities across the globe face fresh uncertainty over access to permanent entry into the United States.

This is the full list of countries affected by the US suspension of immigrant visa processing — Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the 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, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.