EXPLAINERNews|Donald TrumpTrump suspends immigrant visas for 75 countries: Who’s affected?The suspension will take effect on January 21 but does not apply to visitors or short-term visa holders.

Suspension of Immigrant Visa Processing

The United States authorities have announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries. This suspension will commence on Tue, Jan 21, 2026, and will impact applicants from regions including Latin America, the Caribbean, the Balkans, and certain countries in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

This change affects individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States. It does not apply to tourists or short-term visa holders. Nationals from the affected countries may continue to submit immigrant visa applications; however, no approvals or issuances will occur during the suspension period.

An exception exists for dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country not subject to the suspension. The suspension does not affect non-immigrant, temporary, tourist, or business visas.

The State Department has instructed US consulates to halt the processing of immigrant visa applications from the designated countries. This follows an earlier order from November aimed at tightening checks on potential immigrants deemed financial burdens on the US.

According to the State Department, the pause will allow for a reassessment of immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals likely to take welfare and public benefits.

The list of 75 countries impacted by this suspension includes various nations from across different continents. A specific list can be accessed through official channels.

In recent months, the administration has implemented stricter immigration rules, targeting countries with perceived inadequate vetting processes or potential security risks. The White House has also set a low refugee admissions cap for the 2026 fiscal year.

Furthermore, the administration has imposed a full travel ban on citizens from 12 countries and expanded this list to include six more nations. There have been pauses in asylum cases, and processing of citizenship and green card applications has stopped for affected countries.

By early December, the Department of Homeland Security reported over 605,000 deportations, with an additional 1.9 million individuals having "self-deported." Consequently, the US experienced net negative immigration in 2025, marking a significant demographic shift.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.