Multiple major outlets report that the U.S. State Department will pause (suspend) immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries as part of an intensified immigration crackdown focused on “public charge” screening—i.e., whether an applicant is likely to depend on certain government benefits.

This article summarizes what’s known right now, provides the full list of 75 countries, and explains who may be affected, what may not be affected, and what families should do next.

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What exactly is being paused?

Immigrant visa processing (consular processing)

According to Reuters and ABC News, the State Department is suspending processing for immigrant visas for nationals from the listed countries beginning Jan 21, 2026, while it reassesses procedures related to determining whether an applicant is likely to become a “public charge.”

Important: “Immigrant visa processing” typically refers to visas issued by U.S. embassies/consulates abroad for people who intend to immigrate permanently (e.g., family-based immigration, employment-based immigration via consulates, etc.).

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What does NOT appear to be affected?

Reuters specifically reports that visitor visas are not affected.

That said, “not affected” does not necessarily mean “no extra scrutiny.” Screening rules can tighten even when a category remains open.

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Why is the U.S. doing this?

Reuters quotes the State Department’s spokesperson saying the department will use long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge and “exploit” public benefits, and that processing will pause while procedures are reassessed.

ABC News similarly reports the pause is meant to prevent entry of those deemed likely to need public benefits, referencing an internal memo and a State Department statement.

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Are there exceptions?

The Guardian reports the list comes from a State Department cable obtained by the outlet. According to that cable, exceptions include:

• Dual nationals traveling with a passport from a country not on the list, and/or
• Applicants able to show travel serves an “America First” national interest (as described by the cable).

The Guardian also reports that if a visa has been approved but not printed, the consular officer “must refuse the case” (as described in the cable).

The full list of 75 countries (as reported)

Below is the full list of 75 countries published by The Guardian.

1. Afghanistan
2. Albania
3. Algeria
4. Antigua and Barbuda
5. Armenia
6. Azerbaijan
7. Bahamas
8. Bangladesh
9. Barbados
10. Belarus
11. Belize
12. Bhutan
13. Bosnia and Herzegovina
14. Brazil
15. Myanmar
16. Cambodia
17. Cameroon
18. Cape Verde
19. Colombia
20. Côte d’Ivoire
21. Cuba
22. Democratic Republic of the Congo
23. Dominica
24. Egypt
25. Eritrea
26. Ethiopia
27. Fiji
28. The Gambia
29. Georgia
30. Ghana
31. Grenada
32. Guatemala
33. Guinea
34. Haiti
35. Iran
36. Iraq
37. Jamaica
38. Jordan
39. Kazakhstan
40. Kosovo
41. Kuwait
42. Kyrgyzstan
43. Laos
44. Lebanon
45. Liberia
46. Libya
47. North Macedonia
48. Moldova
49. Mongolia
50. Montenegro
51. Morocco
52. Nepal
53. Nicaragua
54. Nigeria
55. Pakistan
56. Republic of the Congo
57. Russia
58. Rwanda
59. St Kitts and Nevis
60. St Lucia
61. St Vincent and the Grenadines
62. Senegal
63. Sierra Leone
64. Somalia
65. South Sudan
66. Sudan
67. Syria
68. Tanzania
69. Thailand
70. Togo
71. Tunisia
72. Uganda
73. Uruguay
74. Uzbekistan
75. Yemen

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Who is most likely to feel this immediately?

1) Family-based immigrant visa applicants abroad

If a spouse/parent/child case is being processed at a U.S. consulate abroad in one of the listed countries, the case may be paused at the “decision/issuance” stage depending on how the directive is applied.

2) Employment-based immigrant visa applicants abroad

People completing the final step of an employment-based green card through consular processing may also be impacted if their nationality is on the list.

3) People with interviews scheduled near/after Jan 21

If your interview is close to the effective date, you may see delays, reschedules, or administrative holds depending on post-specific instructions.

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What you should do if this affects you (practical checklist)

This is general information, not legal advice.

1. Confirm your visa type

   • Are you in an immigrant visa process (permanent immigration), or a visitor/nonimmigrant process? Reuters reports visitor visas are not affected, but immigrant visa processing is.

2. Check where your case is being processed

   • Each embassy/consulate may implement operational changes differently (appointment availability, local backlogs, etc.).

3. Monitor official communications

   • Watch for messages from the consular post and the State Department.
   • Save copies/screenshots of any appointment notices or portal updates.

4. Prepare stronger financial documentation

   • Because the stated reason involves public charge screening, it’s wise to have organized evidence of:
     • Affidavit/support documents (if applicable)
     • Employment/income
     • Assets, savings
     • Sponsor details (where relevant)
   • Fragomen notes the pause is tied to reassessing procedures for determining public charge inadmissibility.

5. Speak with an immigration attorney for case-specific options

   • Especially if you have urgent timelines (medical, family emergencies, age-out risk, expiring documents).

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What’s still unclear (and why that matters)

Even though Reuters confirms the pause and start date, key operational details are still not fully public, including:

• Whether all steps are paused or only final issuance/decisions
• How exceptions will be applied in practice
• Whether some visa subcategories will receive prioritized handling

Reuters reports the pause as confirmed by a State Department spokesperson, but does not publish the full list; the Guardian publishes the list based on a cable it obtained.