The United States of America (USA) has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, according to an internal directive issued by the US State Department.
Under this directive, US embassies and consulates worldwide have been instructed to temporarily halt the issuance of immigrant visas as part of a comprehensive review of the country’s immigration screening and vetting procedures. The suspension is scheduled to take effect on January 21 and will remain in force until further notice.
List of Countries With Suspended Immigration Visas
| Afghanistan | Cambodia | Grenada | Libya | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Albania | Cameroon | Guatemala | Macedonia | Senegal |
| Algeria | Cape Verde | Guinea | Moldova | Sierra Leone |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Colombia | Haiti | Mongolia | Somalia |
| Armenia | Cote d’Ivoire | Iran | Montenegro | South Sudan |
| Azerbaijan | Cuba | Iraq | Morocco | Sudan |
| Bahamas | Democratic Republic of Congo | Jamaica | Nepal | Syria |
| Bangladesh | Dominica | Jordan | Nicaragua | Tanzania |
| Barbados | Egypt | Kazakhstan | Nigeria | Thailand |
| Belarus | Eritrea | Kosovo | Pakistan | Togo |
| Belize | Ethiopia | Kuwait | Republic of the Congo | Tunisia |
| Bhutan | Fiji | Kyrgyzstan | Russia | Uganda |
| Bosnia | Gambia | Laos | Rwanda | Uruguay |
| Brazil | Georgia | Lebanon | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Uzbekistan |
| Burma | Ghana | Liberia | Saint Lucia | Yemen |
Reason Behind the Visa Suspension
The policy primarily targets applicants who may be considered likely to depend on US government assistance after entering the country. While new evaluation standards are being finalized, visa officers have been directed to refuse applications using existing legal provisions.
Countries Affected by the Immigrant Visa Freeze
The suspension applies to citizens of the following countries:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of 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, Republic of the Congo, 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, Yemen.
Stricter Screening Criteria Introduced
A State Department memo circulated in November 2025 outlines expanded screening guidelines for immigrant visa applicants. Under the new framework, consular officers are instructed to evaluate applicants based on multiple personal and financial factors, including:
- Age and overall health
- Financial stability and income level
- English language proficiency
- Employment history and job prospects
- Long-term medical needs
- Past reliance on public assistance
Applicants who are elderly, suffer from chronic medical conditions, have limited income, or have a history of institutionalization or welfare dependency may now face a higher risk of rejection.
Official Response
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott defended the decision, stating that the department is exercising its legal authority to ensure new immigrants do not become a financial burden on American taxpayers.
The situation continues to evolve, and affected applicants are advised to monitor official US State Department announcements for further updates.
