The US State Department on Wednesday announced a freeze on the visa processing for 75 countries, citing an endeavour to remove applicants who are considered likely to be a “public charge”.
A “public charge” as defined by the US Department of Homeland Security is a foreign person who is deemed to be “primarily dependent” on the government for subsistence.
The list of countries impacted due to the move includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Iran.
Consular officers have been instructed to refuse visa applications until screening and vetting procedures are reassessed. The pause goes into effect Jan. 21, it said.
The full list comprises of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote 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,
As well as 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.
We welcome the Palestinian Presidencyâs support for President Trumpâs historic 20-Point Peace Plan. The U.S. remains committed to bringing an end to the war in Gaza and promote peace and stability in the Middle East. https://t.co/Brw6KTk9wR
— U.S. State Dept – Near Eastern Affairs (@StateDept_NEA) January 14, 2026
The move bars new travellers from more than a third of the world’s nearly 200 countries from entering the US. This may lead to a likely and widespread upset of work and travel plans.
This move comes five months prior to the US co-hosting the World Cup, when overseas visitors were anticipated to number in the thousands.
The decision was taken after Trump warned additional visa restrictions after an Afghan national shot two National Guard troops in Washington in the latter half of 2025.
He’s has also taken steps to stop deportation protections for Somalis during a wider push for deportation in Minnesota, which houses thousands of the country’s people.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
(With Bloomberg inputs)
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