Advertising
From Pink Slips to Silent Sidelining: Inside adland’s layoff and anxiety crisis
US immigrant visa processing pause skips India while affecting 75 other countries
New pause on immigrant visas takes effect January 21 as the State Department tightens screening for applicants deemed likely to use public benefits.
The US Department of State will pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of up to 75 countries starting January 21, in a move that further tightens legal immigration pathways under the Trump administration. India is not included among the affected countries, allowing immigrant visa applications from Indian nationals to continue under existing procedures.
The pause has been described as open-ended, with no timeline announced for when processing may resume. The State Department said the measure is aimed at preventing what it described as abuse of public benefit systems by new immigrants entering the United States.
In a post on X, the department said the freeze would remain in place until authorities can ensure that new immigrants will not rely on welfare or government assistance. The administration reiterated that the policy aligns with its “America First” stance on immigration.
The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.
— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026
According to internal guidance, consular offices have been instructed to refuse immigrant visas while screening and vetting standards are reviewed, using the existing “public charge” provision of US immigration law. Under this rule, officials can deny visas to applicants deemed likely to depend on public benefits. Factors considered include age, health, financial resources, English proficiency, prior use of government assistance, and the likelihood of long-term medical care needs.
The immigrant visa pause applies to nationals from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, the Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
Also read: LinkedIn at 14: Report reveals how India’s youth are growing up faster than digital policy
The pause applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect temporary travel or diplomatic visas. Applications from the listed countries will remain on hold during the review period, and no clarity has been provided on when processing may restart.
SPOTLIGHT
From purpose-driven work and narrative-rich brand films to AI-enabled ideas and creator-led collaborations, the awards reflect the full spectrum of modern creativity.
Read More“Confusion creates opportunity for agile players,” Sir Martin Sorrell on industry consolidation
Looking ahead to the close of 2025 and into 2026, Sorrell sees technology platforms as the clear winners. He described them as “nation states in their own right”, with market capitalisations that exceed the GDPs of many countries.