US to Suspend Immigrant Visa Processing for Citizens of Ghana, Nigeria, other 73 countries

The United States State Department has announced that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns that applicants from the affected nations may be more likely to rely on public assistance after entering the United States.

According to a statement released on Wednesday, the suspension will take effect on January 21 and applies to countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, among others. The directive was issued under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and follows a broader immigration order introduced in November by the Trump administration that tightened eligibility standards for permanent immigrants.

US officials explained that the move is intended to reinforce existing laws that prevent the admission of immigrants deemed likely to become a “public charge”—a term used to describe individuals who may depend on government welfare or public benefits for long-term support.

The State Department clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas, which are issued to individuals seeking permanent residence in the US. Non-immigrant visas, such as temporary tourist, business, or short-term travel visas, are not affected by the new policy. These temporary visas account for the majority of visa applications processed by US embassies worldwide.

Officials expect demand for non-immigrant visas to increase significantly in the coming years, particularly as the United States prepares to host major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, which are expected to attract millions of international visitors.

In a statement defending the decision, the State Department said the administration is committed to protecting public resources and strengthening immigration oversight. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the department said. It added that immigrant visa processing from the affected countries will remain paused while authorities reassess screening procedures.

The suspension is part of a broader pattern of immigration restrictions implemented under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has already tightened both immigrant and non-immigrant visa access for citizens of several countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The policy is based on guidance issued in November, which instructed US embassies and consulates to apply more rigorous vetting standards when assessing visa applicants. Under the directive, consular officers are required to evaluate whether applicants are likely to rely on public benefits at any point after entering the United States.

While US immigration law has long required applicants for permanent residency to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency, the Trump administration expanded the definition of public assistance during its first term. The latest guidelines reportedly go further by broadening the range of factors consular officers must consider.

Applicants are already subject to medical examinations, background checks, and vaccination requirements. However, the new directive instructs officials to assess additional factors, including age, health status, family circumstances, financial resources, education, job skills, English proficiency, and any past use of public assistance, regardless of the applicant’s country of origin.

The guidelines also permit visa officers to conduct interviews in English to evaluate language proficiency, a requirement that critics say could disadvantage applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds.

Immigration experts have warned that the expanded criteria could significantly reduce the number of people eligible for permanent residence in the United States. They argue that the measures may further limit access at a time when immigration pathways are already becoming increasingly restrictive.

As the policy takes effect, advocacy groups and affected communities are expected to monitor its impact closely, particularly in countries where access to US immigrant visas plays a critical role in family reunification, education, and economic opportunity.

The countries affected by the suspension announced on Wednesday are:

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Azerbaijan Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belize Bhutan Bosnia Brazil Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Colombia Congo Cuba Dominica Egypt Eritrea Ethiopia Fiji Gambia Georgia Ghana Grenada Guatemala Guinea Haiti Iran Iraq Ivory Coast Jamaica Jordan Kazakhstan Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Liberia Libya Macedonia Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Myanmar 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

Source: Thepressradio.com