US to suspend visa processing for 75 countries from next week
Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand are among the affected countries, according to the report. (Photo: iStock)US President Donald Trump’s administration is set to “pause” visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan from January 21 onwards, a US State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.
A State Department memo, quoted by Fox News, directs consular officers to reject visas under the existing laws while the department works on the screening and vetting procedures.
The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026
Confirming the development in a post on X, the State Department said: “The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”