State Dept. suspends immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public charge concerns

The suspension extends the Trump administration’s escalating immigration restrictions beyond its earlier travel bans affecting nearly 40 countries, applying a November directive that tightened rules around visa applicants deemed potential ‘public charges’ in the United States.

The State Department said Wednesday it will suspend immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries beginning Jan. 21, citing concerns that applicants from those nations are likely to require public assistance after entering the United States. The list includes Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, along with dozens of other countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

The suspension, directed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, builds on earlier immigration and travel bans the Trump administration has imposed on nearly 40 countries and applies a November directive that tightened rules around visa applicants deemed potential “public charges” in the United States.

“Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” the department said in a statement.

Suspension does not cover tourist or business visas

The suspension applies only to immigrant visas — those sought by people intending to live permanently in the United States. It does not apply to non-immigrant visas, including tourist and business visas, which account for the vast majority of visa seekers.

Non-immigrant visa demand is expected to rise sharply in coming years as the United States prepares to host or co-host the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Separate cable orders broader screening

Separately, the State Department on Monday sent a cable to all U.S. embassies and consulates directing consular officers to screen non-immigrant visa applicants as well for the likelihood that they would seek public benefits while in the United States. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the cable.

“With the uncovering of massive public benefits fraud across the United States, the Trump administration is laser-focused on eliminating and preventing fraud in public benefits programs,” the cable said.

The cable places the burden of proof on visa applicants to demonstrate they would not apply for public assistance and directs consular officers who suspect an applicant might seek benefits to require that the applicant complete a form documenting their financial standing.

Expanded vetting criteria

The immigrant visa suspension flows from a November directive that required U.S. embassies and consulates to comprehensively vet applicants to demonstrate they would not rely on public benefits at any point after admission to the country.

Federal law has long required those seeking permanent residency to prove they would not become a public charge. President Donald Trump in his first term expanded the range of benefit programs that could disqualify applicants. The November directive and Wednesday’s accompanying guidance appear to extend that scope further.

Under the new framework, consular officers must assess a visa applicant’s age, health, family status, finances, education, skills and any prior use of public assistance regardless of the country in which that assistance was received. Officers may also evaluate an applicant’s English proficiency by conducting interviews in English.

Immigration experts said at the time the November directive was issued that it could further limit who gets to enter the country as the administration continues to tighten U.S. entry standards.

Countries subject to the suspension

The 75 countries whose nationals will be subject to the immigrant visa suspension are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.