U.S State Department pauses immigrant visa issuance for 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026, over public charge concerns, affecting green card seekers from Afghanistan to Yemen.
U.S Freezes Immigrant Visas for 75 Nations Over Public Benefit Concerns:
The U.S State Department revealed on January 14, 2026, that it will halt the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries effective January 21, amid concerns that immigrants from these nations are more likely to rely on public benefits. This policy, rooted in the Trump administration’s focus on self-sufficiency, could strand families, disrupt legal immigration pathways, and strain diplomatic ties, affecting countries from Afghanistan to Yemen. As the pause takes effect tomorrow, advocates warn of humanitarian fallout while officials defend it as essential to protect American taxpayers.
75-Country Visa Pause Goes Live in Less Than 24 Hours:
The announcement came via the State Department’s website on January 14, 2026, detailing the suspension of immigrant visa issuances for citizens of the listed countries. Officials stated the pause would begin January 21 and remain in place indefinitely while they review immigration processing to better enforce public charge rules. Applicants can still submit forms and attend interviews, but no visas will be stamped or issued during this period.
The list includes 75 nations, predominantly from South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and Iran. Dual nationals holding passports from unaffected countries are exempt. As of January 20, 2026, no changes to the policy have been reported, with the pause set to start in less than 24 hours.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the move on social media, emphasizing it as part of broader efforts to ensure immigrants do not “extract wealth from the American people.” The policy expands on earlier restrictions, bringing the total affected nationalities to 93 when combined with prior bans.
Trump Revives and Expands 2019 Policy to Block Visas from 75 Countries:
This suspension builds on the public charge rule, a longstanding U.S. immigration policy requiring applicants to prove they won’t become dependent on government assistance. Revived and strengthened during Donald Trump’s first term in 2019, it was paused under Biden but reinstated aggressively in Trump’s second administration. The rule assesses factors like income, health, and education to determine if an immigrant might use benefits like food stamps or Medicaid.
The selected countries were identified based on data showing higher rates of public benefits usage among their immigrants. This echoes Trump’s 2020 proclamation restricting visas from countries with high overstay rates, though the current pause is broader and focuses solely on immigrant visas. Immigrant visas, used for permanent residency, processed about 500,000 annually pre-pandemic, with family reunification making up the majority.
The timing aligns with Trump’s renewed emphasis on border security and economic protectionism, amid debates over immigration’s fiscal impact. Studies show immigrants contribute more in taxes than they receive in benefits over time, but short-term costs in certain communities have fueled controversy.
For affected countries, many low-income nations, this could exacerbate brain drain and family separations, with ripple effects on remittances vital to their economies. It could reduce legal immigration by up to 40 percent from these regions, testing U.S. alliances and inviting legal challenges.