The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries as part of a broader effort to block individuals deemed likely to become a public charge.
Under a department memo, consular officers are directed to refuse visas using existing legal authority while the State Department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures. The pause takes effect January 21 and will remain in place indefinitely during the review.
Guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to applicants assessed as likely to rely on public benefits, weighing factors such as health, age, English proficiency, financial resources, and potential long-term medical needs. The affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen, among others.
