Trump Administration Pauses Visas for 75 Nations: The “Public Charge” Crackdown of 2026

By Gemini News Service Thursday, January 15, 2026

WASHINGTON — In what legal experts are calling the most significant restriction on legal immigration in modern American history, the Trump administration announced Wednesday it will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries.

The move, detailed in a Department of State release on January 14, 2026, targets nations the administration deems “high-risk” for public benefits usage. Starting January 21, individuals from these countries—spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe—will face a total pause on applications for permanent residency (Green Cards).

The “Self-Sufficiency” Mandate

The policy is rooted in an expanded interpretation of the “public charge” rule. Under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department is conducting a “full review” to ensure that incoming immigrants are financially self-sufficient and do not become a “financial burden” to U.S. taxpayers.

“President Trump has made clear that immigrants must not be a financial burden to Americans,” the State Department statement read. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the Department reassesses procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”

Who Is Impacted? The Full List of 75 Countries

The suspension covers nearly 40% of the world’s nations. While the administration emphasizes that non-immigrant visas (tourist, business, and student visas) are currently unaffected to protect events like the 2026 World Cup, those seeking to move to the U.S. permanently from the following countries are now barred:

The Affected Nations:

• Asia & Middle East: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
• Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda.
• Latin America & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.
• Europe & Others: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fiji, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia.

Economic Impact and Market Reaction

The announcement sent shockwaves through the global community and financial sectors. S&P 500 Futures Rise, Nasdaq 100 Futures Advance, Dow Futures Flat: Live Updates indicate that while tech stocks are buoyed by strong earnings from companies like TSMC, the broader “travel and leisure” sector is bracing for the long-term impact of reduced global migration.

FAQs: 2026 Immigrant Visa Processing Suspension

The Trump administration’s announcement on January 14, 2026, to pause visa processing for 75 countries has raised significant questions for travelers, families, and businesses. Below are the most frequent questions regarding this major policy shift.

1. Which countries are included in the 75-nation suspension?

While the State Department has not officially published the full list as a single public document, reports from major news outlets (including CBS News and The Guardian) have identified the following countries as being part of the 75-nation pause:

• Key Nations: Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, and Thailand.
• Other Regions: The list includes a broad range of countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe deemed to be at “high-risk” for public benefits usage.

2. Does this affect tourist, student, or business visas?

No. The State Department has explicitly clarified that this suspension applies only to immigrant visas (those seeking permanent residency or green cards).

• Unaffected: Temporary visas (B1/B2 tourist and business visas), student visas (F, J, M), and visas for major upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup are not part of this specific pause and will continue to be processed.
• Note: Applicants for these temporary visas may still face increased vetting under separate security-related travel bans that took effect on January 1, 2026.

3. When does the suspension take effect?

The pause is scheduled to begin on January 21, 2026. Any immigrant visa interviews or approvals scheduled after this date for citizens of the 75 countries will likely be postponed or halted indefinitely.

4. What is the “Public Charge” reason for the ban?

The administration is using the “public charge” rule—a long-standing law that allows the government to deny entry to anyone likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence.

• New Criteria: Consular officers are being instructed to use stricter standards regarding an applicant’s age, health, financial assets, and English proficiency to determine if they might utilize welfare or other public benefits upon arrival.

5. Are there any exceptions to the pause?

Exceptions are currently very limited.

• Dual Nationals: If you hold dual citizenship and apply using a valid passport from a country not on the list of 75, you may still be eligible for processing.
• Discretionary Cases: The Secretary of State may grant waivers for “national interest” or emergency medical situations on a case-by-case basis, though these are expected to be rare during the initial review period.

Comparison of Visa Status (Post-Jan 21, 2026)