Posted at 10:20 PM IST
The U.S. State Department has temporarily paused certain immigrant visa processing activities for applicants from approximately 75 countries, citing the need for additional review related to public charge assessments.
According to a reports and sources, the U.S. Department of State has temporarily halted all visa processing operations for dozens of nations spanning Asia, Africa, and South America. The list includes Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Brazil, and several Caribbean states such as Jamaica and the Bahamas.
Officials stated that the decision is part of a broader review of visa and immigration security measures. The department has not provided a timeline for when normal visa services will resume.
This indefinite pause is expected to affect thousands of students, workers, and travelers who had planned to visit or move to the United States in 2026. Embassies have been instructed to issue public advisories and suspend new interview appointments effective January 21.
The 75-country list covers nations such as Egypt, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, among others, reflecting a wide geographic range. Analysts believe this move signals a tightening of entry vetting processes amid ongoing security evaluations.
Observers and immigration attorneys have advised applicants to monitor embassy websites and official government portals for verified updates before making travel or academic plans.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
