DOS Pausing Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries

In a significant development for international travel, a U.S. Department of State (DOS) memorandum has revealed a plan to indefinitely freeze visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective 21.Jan.2026. This move represents a major expansion of the current administration’s immigration and border policies.

According to media reports, the directive instructs consular officers to halt the issuance of new visas while the government conducts a comprehensive reassessment of screening and vetting procedures. A posting by the White House on X (formerly Twitter) states this applies to immigrant visa processing; so, it remains unclear whether nonimmigrants will also be affected.

List of Countries

The following countries have been identified as part of the freeze:

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 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, 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, and Yemen.

Notably, India is not on the list of affected countries. Visa processing for Indian nationals is expected to continue under existing regulations, though travelers should remain aware of ongoing delays in the U.S. consular system based on previously reported changes (e.g., social media checks).

Rationale from White House

The White House has cited the “public charge” provision of U.S. immigration law as a primary justification, suggesting the pause is necessary to prevent individuals from entering who might rely on government benefits. Administration officials also have pointed to alleged deficiencies in the vetting and information-sharing capabilities of the listed nations. However, critics and policy analysts have noted that the timing – just five months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup – and the inclusion of countries with traditionally strong vetting cooperation suggest that the reasoning may be tied to broader political and immigration enforcement goals rather than purely technical security gaps. As noted above, however, it remains to be seen whether this will apply to all visa applicants, or solely those applying for immigrant visas.

Timeline

The pause is slated to remain in effect until, ostensibly, the DOS completes its review of adjudication standards. There has been no indication that travelers from the listed nations with existing, valid visas will have their current documents revoked.

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