The Trump administration has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan. The U.S. State Department has not provided detailed explanations for the move, which was first reported by Fox News, citing a department memo.
The list of affected countries reportedly includes Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Pakistan, and many others.
According to CNN, the freeze applies only to immigrant visas, such as those for employment or family reunification. Non-immigrant visas, including student and tourist visas, are not affected, meaning travelers for events like this summer’s U.S. World Cup would not face restrictions.
The visa suspension is set to begin on January 21. U.S. embassies have been instructed to deny visas under existing law while the State Department reassesses immigration procedures. No end date for the freeze was provided.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the measure aims to prevent entry of immigrants who might rely on U.S. public assistance, citing the department’s authority to deem potential immigrants ineligible if they are likely to become a “public charge.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that countries affected include Somalia, Russia, and Iran. The move aligns with former President Trump’s stated goal of limiting immigration from non-European countries. Trump has previously expressed harsh criticism of Somali immigrants, while expressing a preference for European immigrants.
US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iranhttps://t.co/EAFsAcsATz
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 14, 2026
The State Department also reported that since Trump’s return to office, more than 100,000 visas have been revoked in a single year. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security stated that over 605,000 people have been deported, with 2.5 million others leaving the U.S. voluntarily.
