The United States State Department will indefinitely suspend visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, a senior administration official confirmed, in one of the broadest immigration policy moves in recent years.
A memo obtained by Fox News indicates that consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide have been instructed to halt visa issuance under current immigration law while the department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
The suspension is set to begin on 21 January and will remain in effect until further notice.
Officials said the move is part of a broader effort to strengthen enforcement of the “public charge” rule, which allows visas to be denied if an applicant is deemed likely to rely on public benefits. The policy builds on previous measures introduced during the Trump administration, which tightened immigration and traveller vetting.
The affected countries span Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen. A full list circulating online names 75 nations, many with significant diaspora communities in the United States.
While formal responses from the governments of affected countries are still pending, diplomatic sources warn the move could strain bilateral relations, particularly with nations that have long-standing visa agreements with Washington.
International rights groups and immigration lawyers have criticised the lack of transparency, warning that the policy could disproportionately affect families, students, and business travellers. Some legal analysts predict litigation is likely, noting that the indefinite nature of the freeze may conflict with U.S. immigration law and international norms.
Reuters, Fox News
