The United States has announced a temporary halt on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Nigeria and Russia, as it reviews applicants who may be considered a “public charge.”
The U.S. State Department said the suspension will take effect on January 21 and remain in place indefinitely while consular officers reassess screening and vetting procedures. Other countries affected include Somalia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, and Yemen.
The move comes amid increased scrutiny of immigration processes following a major fraud case in Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded benefits. Many of those implicated were Somali or Somali-American, prompting closer evaluation of potential public welfare risks tied to immigration.
In November 2025, the State Department issued guidance directing consular posts worldwide to enforce the long-standing “public charge” rule. Under this provision, visa applications can be denied based on factors such as age, health, English proficiency, financial capacity, and the likelihood of requiring long-term public assistance.
A State Department spokesperson said the pause is intended to prevent abuse of public welfare systems and safeguard U.S. resources. Immigration processing from the affected countries will remain suspended while procedures are reviewed.
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.
