In a significant policy shift, the United States government has ordered a temporary halt to immigrant visa processing for citizens of seventy-five countries worldwide. The move, which directly impacts Nigeria and Morocco among others, is part of a renewed effort to screen out applicants considered likely to become dependent on public assistance.
State Department Directive Pauses Applications
The decision was communicated through an internal memo from the U.S. State Department to its consular officers around the globe. Dated and reported on January 14, 2026, the directive instructs officials to refuse visas under existing laws while the department undertakes a comprehensive reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures.
This development, first reported by Fox News and later noted by CNBC, centers on the long-standing U.S. immigration rule concerning "public charge." This rule allows for the denial of visas to individuals who might become primarily reliant on government benefits.
The pause affects only immigrant visas, which are for those seeking to live permanently in the United States. It is understood that non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism, business, or temporary work, are not included in this specific freeze at this time.
Full List of Affected Nations Revealed
The State Department's list encompasses seventy-five nations across multiple continents, indicating a broad application of the new screening posture. The list includes major nations from Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Prominently featured are Nigeria, a nation with strong historical and people-to-people ties to the U.S., and Morocco, a key North African ally. Other significant countries on the list include:
- Somalia
- Russia
- Afghanistan
- Brazil
- Iran
- Iraq
- Egypt
- Pakistan
- Yemen
The complete roster provided by the State Department is: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, 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.
Implications and Next Steps
This suspension creates immediate uncertainty for thousands of prospective immigrants from the listed countries who are in various stages of the application process. Families awaiting reunification and individuals with approved immigrant petitions will face indefinite delays until the State Department completes its review and issues new guidance to consular posts.
The policy is being implemented under the administration of President Donald Trump, reflecting a continued focus on stringent immigration controls. The memo does not specify a timeline for when the review will be concluded and normal processing resumed.
For affected countries like Nigeria, which has a large diaspora in the United States, this move is likely to strain bilateral relations and cause significant disruption to family-based and employment-based immigration channels. Applicants are advised to stay in close contact with their legal representatives or the specific U.S. embassy or consulate handling their case for any updates.
This is a developing story, and further details on the implementation and duration of the visa processing pause are expected to follow.
