The United States has halted immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria, Russia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran and Brazil, citing the need to review screening procedures under the long-standing “public charge” rule.
The pause, which takes effect January 21, will remain in place indefinitely while the U.S. State Department reassesses how consular officers evaluate applicants who may become dependent on public assistance after entering the country.
A State Department spokesperson, Tommy Piggott, said the measure is aimed at protecting U.S. taxpayer resources and preventing abuse of welfare programmes.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” Piggott told Fox News.
In November 2025, the State Department reportedly issued guidance to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, directing visa officers to apply stricter enforcement of the public charge provision during immigrant visa interviews.
Under U.S. immigration law, visa applications may be denied based on factors such as age, health, English proficiency, financial capacity and the likelihood that an applicant may require long-term public assistance.
The policy shift follows heightened scrutiny of immigration screening after a major fraud scandal in Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded benefit programmes. Many individuals linked to the case were reported to be Somali or Somali-American, prompting renewed focus on welfare eligibility among immigrants.
The countries affected by the pause include Nigeria, Russia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand and Yemen, among others across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
The State Department said immigrant visa processing for the affected countries will remain suspended until the review of screening procedures is completed, but did not provide a timeline for when normal processing may resume.
The move is expected to have significant implications for thousands of prospective immigrants and family-based visa applicants from the affected countries.
