What Happened: US Visa Suspension Explained







In January 2026, the United States government under President Donald Trump announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. This means that people applying for permanent residency (Green Cards) in the U.S. from these nations will no longer have their applications approved or issued starting January 21, 2026 — until further notice. The administration says the pause is meant to reassess immigration vetting procedures to reduce the number of immigrants who might become dependent on public assistance. (Reuters)

It’s important to clarify that this policy does not apply to non-immigrant visas such as tourist (B-1/B-2), business, short-term work (except some other separate restrictions), or student visas — though those applications may face tougher screening rules. (AP News)

This latest action builds on earlier Trump administration immigration measures including travel bans, visa restrictions, and tighter security vetting, reflecting one of the broadest crackdowns on legal immigration in recent U.S. history. (Al Jazeera)

🌍 Countries Affected by the Visa Suspension

The suspension affects 75 countries across all major regions — Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans. While the full official list has not been published by the U.S. government in a single public source yet, multiple news reports and documented lists shared by independent sources include the following nations: (WUSF)

Selected Countries in the Suspension List

  • Africa: Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

  • Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan

  • Europe / Balkans: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia

  • Middle East & Gulf: Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon

  • Americas & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay

  • Other: Belize, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, Fiji, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Uzbekistan

Note: This list is from reporting and compiled independent sources — the U.S. State Department itself has signaled the full list covers 75 countries, including many of those above. (WUSF)

🧭 How This Fits With Previous Trump Visa Policies

The 2026 visa suspension is not the first major travel and visa policy under the Trump administration. In 2025, the U.S. instituted a travel ban covering 12 countries and partial restrictions on several others — making it harder or impossible for citizens of those nations to obtain most U.S. visas. The earlier ban included countries like: (whitehouse.gov)

✈️ Travel Ban (June 2025 Snapshot)

Full visa and entry bans were placed on:

  • Afghanistan

  • Burma (Myanmar)

  • Chad

  • Republic of the Congo

  • Equatorial Guinea

  • Eritrea

  • Haiti

  • Iran

  • Libya

  • Somalia

  • Sudan

  • Yemen

Partial restrictions were applied to countries including:

  • Burundi

  • Cuba

  • Laos

  • Sierra Leone

  • Togo

  • Turkmenistan

  • Venezuela

People already inside the U.S., holding valid visas, dual citizens, and certain exempt travel categories were not subject to all these restrictions. (whitehouse.gov)

🧠 Why This Matters

These visa suspensions and restrictions have major consequences for global mobility. They affect families trying to reunite, skilled workers seeking opportunities in the U.S., and countries with long histories of migration ties to America. They also influence diplomatic relations and international perceptions of U.S. immigration policy.

Critics argue the measures unfairly target developing nations and violate international norms, while supporters maintain they are necessary to protect U.S. jobs and public resources.

If you’d like, I can break down the full 75-country list by region or explain how the visa suspension might affect specific types of visa applicants (e.g., family, employment, or refugees). Just let me know what you want to focus on next!

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