The US temporarily suspends the issuance of immigration visas for citizens of 75 countries: what is known

The US is tightening its immigration policy and suspending the issuance of immigration visas for citizens of 75 countries. Find out who is affected by the restrictions, what criteria are now being considered, and what this means for applicants

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The US State Department has announced a complete temporary suspension of the processing and issuance of immigration visas for citizens of 75 countries. This was reported by the American television channel Fox News, citing an internal State Department memo, a copy of which was obtained by the editorial office.

According to the document, the pause in the issuance of immigrant visas will begin on January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the review of candidate screening and selection procedures is complete.

Which countries are affected by the restrictions?

The list of 75 countries whose citizens are affected by the new restrictions includes Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Somalia, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen, and other countries. The full list has not been officially released, but it includes countries from different regions of the world.

Important: The original Fox News publication did not specify which types of visas were affected. The article was later updated to clarify that the restrictions apply only to immigrant visas, not to tourist, student, or non-immigrant work visas.

What does the suspension mean in practice?

US consulate employees have been instructed to deny immigration visas based on current legislation until the State Department completes its review of security procedures, background checks, and applicant assessments. In effect, this means that new applications under immigration programs from the specified countries will be temporarily suspended or denied.

It is noted that the decision is part of the Donald Trump administration's tougher immigration policy aimed at preventing individuals who may become a burden on the American social system from entering the United States.

Earlier, the State Department announced new, significantly stricter criteria for selecting candidates for immigration visas. Consular officers are required to deny applicants who are potentially dependent on government assistance programs or social benefits in the US.

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What criteria will be considered when evaluating applicants

When deciding whether to issue an immigrant visa, the following will be taken into account:

● health status;

● age of the applicant;

● English language proficiency;

● financial status;

● risk of needing long-term medical care.

According to Fox News, even elderly people, overweight individuals, and those who have previously received government financial assistance may be denied.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the agency will use its legal authority to declare potential immigrants who could become a “public charge” to the US ineligible.

He said immigration from these 75 countries will be suspended until the review is complete to prevent the entry of individuals who could theoretically claim social assistance.

The public charge principle: what has changed

The public charge provision has existed in US law for decades. However, the current administration has significantly broadened its interpretation by reversing the relaxations introduced during Joe Biden's presidency.

Whereas previously the key factor was the need for direct financial assistance, now almost all types of social assistance will be taken into account, including medical assistance and food stamps. According to Fox News, exceptions to the new rules will be very limited and will only be possible after an extremely thorough review of compliance with the public charge criteria.

What Ukrainians should consider

Although Ukraine is not mentioned among the countries on the list, the general tightening of US immigration requirements means that any plans to move or reunite with family need to be carefully analyzed. In such circumstances, it is especially important to correctly assess your situation, visa type, and risks of refusal. Ukrainians can seek advice from visa lawyers at Visit Ukraine to understand how the new US approaches may affect their chances and what documents should be prepared in advance.

We remind you! The new immigration program in the US is already attracting the attention of foreign investors and specialists: Donald Trump's administration has introduced the “Golden Card” visa, which changes the usual rules for obtaining American status. Read about who is eligible for it and what opportunities it opens up.

Photo: shutterstock

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