The U.S. Department of State has decided to suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for 75 countries. The decision covers countries including Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, and others, and will take effect on January 21st.
According to the editorial report, a directive from the Department of State instructs consular officers to deny visas within the existing legal framework. The suspension is indefinite and will continue until the procedures for reviewing and evaluating visa applications are completed.
The primary goal of the decision is to prevent applicants who are likely to become dependent on public social assistance programs in the future. Criteria such as health status, age, English language proficiency, financial means, and the need for long-term medical care will be considered in this regard.
It is reported that scrutiny has been particularly strengthened concerning Somalia. This is due to a large-scale fraud scandal involving the embezzlement of public funds in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Investigation materials indicate that some individuals involved in this case are of Somali origin.
Full list: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bhutan, South Sudan, Dominica, Eritrea, Armenia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Georgia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Côte d'Ivoire, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Republic of the Congo, Kosovo, Cuba, Kuwait, Laos, Liberia, Libya, Lebanon, Macedonia, Morocco, Egypt, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Jamaica, Yemen.
It should be noted that in November 2025, the Department of State sent instructions to diplomatic missions worldwide regarding the implementation of new and stricter vetting rules. The new approach is considered the beginning of a tougher filtration stage in visa policy.