In a post on X, the U.S. State Department announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns over public charge and the ability of immigrants to financially support themselves while in the United States. This action follows expansion of entry restrictions and an immigration application hold for citizens of 19 countries deemed to be “high-risk” that were previously announced in December.
Key points
- The pause applies exclusively to immigrant visas. Non‑immigrant visas (e.g., business or tourist) are not affected.
- The measure is framed as part of a broader effort to prevent entry by individuals likely to become a “public charge” or depend on public benefits.
- According to the State Department’s post, the pause will remain in place until the US can ensure new immigrants will not become an economic burden on the American public.
Countries affected
| Americas | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Africa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua & Barbuda | Albania | Afghanistan | Algeria |
| Bahamas | Belarus | Armenia | Cameroon |
| Barbados | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Azerbaijan | Cape Verde |
| Belize | Kosovo | Bangladesh | Côte d’Ivoire |
| Brazil | Moldova | Bhutan | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Colombia | Montenegro | Cambodia | Egypt |
| Cuba | North Macedonia | Fiji | Eritrea |
| Dominica | Georgia | Ethiopia | |
| Grenada | Iran | Ghana | |
| Guatemala | Iraq | Guinea | |
| Haiti | Jordan | Liberia | |
| Jamaica | Kazakhstan | Libya | |
| Nicaragua | Kuwait | Morocco | |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | Kyrgyzstan | Nigeria | |
| St. Lucia | Laos | Republic of the Congo | |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Lebanon | Rwanda | |
| Uruguay | Mongolia | Senegal | |
| Myanmar | Sierra Leone | ||
| Nepal | Somalia | ||
| Pakistan | South Sudan | ||
| Russia | Sudan | ||
| Syria | Tanzania | ||
| Thailand | The Gambia | ||
| Uzbekistan | Togo | ||
| Yemen | Tunisia | ||
| Uganda |
Source: CNBC
Implications for employers
Employers and immigration teams should anticipate delays in immigrant visa issuance from the designated countries. Visa processing timelines and workforce planning for candidates or staff from impacted countries may be affected. Continued monitoring is advisable as additional guidance and a full list of affected countries are expected.
Contact Newland Chase for information and support on this development.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
