US to suspend visa processing for 75 countries: Here’s the full list
A State Department memo, quoted by Fox News, directs the consular officers to reject the visas under the existing laws while the department works on the screening and vetting procedures.
January 15, 2026 12:16 AM IST
First published on: Jan 14, 2026 at 10:51 PM IST
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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 Reuters, 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.
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.”
Among the list of countries whose visa processing has been paused reportedly include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen.
The pause in visa process comes amid the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by President Trump since assumed the office in January last year.
The US president had in November vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” after a shooting took place near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard personnel.
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The State Department further said, “The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival. We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused.”
The suspension of visa, which comes into effect from January 21 onwards, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, or temporary tourist or business visas, AP reported.
Full list of countries affected by US visa suspension
According to Fox News, the full list of countries affected by the State Department’s visa suspension include:
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Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand are among the affected countries, according to the report. (Photo: iStock) 
