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The US Pauses 75 Countries' Immigrant Visa Processing starting on January 21
Citing worries over public welfare utilization, the US is stopping the processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 nations. Currently, business and tourist visas remain unaffected.
A new halt on the processing of immigrant visas for individuals from 75 countries has been declared by the United States. The US State Department made the decision as part of a larger effort to tighten immigration regulations.
Those applying for permanent immigrant visas are impacted by the halt. Tourist, business, and other short-term visas are exempt.
What is considered an immigrant visa?
Those who intend to obtain a Green Card and relocate permanently to the United States are eligible for immigrant visas. Among them are:
Visas Sponsored by Families
Visas Based on Employment
Lottery for Diversity Visas
Investor Visas for EB-5
Unique Visas for Immigrants
Visas for Returning Residents
What's Not Included
Non-immigrant visas, like the following, are exempt from the present pause:
Visas for tourists
Visas for business
Visas for students
Visas for temporary employment
Why the United States Claims to Be Doing This
The State Department claims that the halt is aimed at nations where authorities feel that new immigrants depend too heavily on US public services.
The government said in a public statement that the freeze would be in effect until the United States can be certain that new immigrants won't put a financial strain on American taxpayers.
Associated with Trump's Most Recent Immigration Initiative
The action is being characterized as a component of Donald Trump's most recent immigration crackdown. Under public charge regulations, his administration has consistently concentrated on restricting access from nations it deems to be high risk.
The decision, according to officials, comes after a more comprehensive order that was issued in November that strengthened oversight of individuals who might become dependent on benefits after entering the United States.
Countries Listed Thus Far
According to certain media sources, 75 countries are anticipated to be impacted, even though the US government has not made an official public list available.
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and Nepal are among them. Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Thailand, and Yemen are among the other nations named.
Additionally, the State Department stated that the halt will have an impact on nations like Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea, where authorities think a large number of immigrants become public charges when they arrive.
White House Remarks Provide Additional Clarity
On social media, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that Somalia would be one of the impacted nations. She added Iran and Russia to the list.
Her remarks came after Trump reopened his criticism of previous US immigration-related incidents.
Complete List of 75 Nations
Reports state that the following 75 nations are anticipated to be included in the pause:
Afghanistan and Albania
Algeria
Armenia
Antigua & Barbuda
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bahamas
Belarus
Belize
Bhutan
Bosnia
Brazil
Burma
Cambodia
Cameroon
The Cape
Colombia
Ivoire's Côte
Cuba
Congo's Democratic Republic
Egypt and Dominica
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
The Guatemalan
Guinea
Iran and Haiti
Iraq
The Jamaican
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon and Laos
Liberia
Libya
The Macedonian
Moldova
Montenegro and Mongolia
Morocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Pakistan
Congo's Republic
Russia
Rwanda
Nevis and Saint Kitts
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan's south
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
The Tunisian
Uganda
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Yemen
When the Visa Pause Begins
Under Secretary Marco Rubio's leadership, the State Department has instructed US consulates to cease accepting applications for immigrant visas from the impacted nations as of January 21.
Non-immigrant visas are currently excluded. Thus, it is still possible to complete applications for business travel, tourist visas, and other short-term visits.
What Travelers Should Know About This
Your application may be placed on hold with no end date if your nation is on the list and you want to relocate to the US permanently.
Nothing has changed if you are on a short-term trip. Visas for tourists and business travelers are still processed normally.
Rules can change quickly, as is typically the case with US immigration policy. Official updates from the State Department and their local US consulate should be closely monitored by anyone impacted.
