The United States announced on Wednesday that it is suspending immigrant visa processing of 75 countries, President Donald Trump’s latest move restricting entry for foreigners seeking to live in America.
A State Department spokesperson said, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.”
According to a memo seen by Fox News Digital, consular officers have been directed to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
The pause will begin on January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the review is complete.
In total, the United States’ visa suspension affects 75 countries, including 27 in Africa, 22 in Asia, eight in Europe, 13 in North America and the Caribbean, three in South America, and one in Oceania.
Representatives for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported memo, which Fox News said directs U.S. embassies to refuse visas under existing law while the department reassesses its procedures.
No time frame was provided.
The reported pause comes amid the sweeping immigration crackdown pursued by Republican U.S. President Donald Trump since taking office last January.
In November, Trump had vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member.
The “public charge” rule, a long-standing element of US immigration law, allows authorities to deny visas to individuals likely to rely on public benefits.
Under the new guidelines, consular officers will consider factors such as age, health status, English proficiency, financial capacity, and employment prospects when assessing visa applications.
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Applicants deemed at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance may be denied entry.
The move is expected to impact prospective travelers, students, and families from developing countries, potentially straining diplomatic ties with affected nations.
The State Department has not provided a timeline for completing the review or clarified humanitarian exemptions.
The full list of affected countries, arranged by continent, is as follows:
Africa (27 countries)
Algeria
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Cote d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Liberia
Libya
Morocco
Nigeria
Republic of the Congo
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Yemen
Asia (22 countries)
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Burma
Cambodia
Georgia
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Mongolia
Nepal
Pakistan
Syria
Thailand
Uzbekistan
Europe (8 countries)
Albania
Belarus
Bosnia
Kosovo
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
Russia
North America & the Caribbean (13 countries)
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Cuba
Dominica
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Jamaica
Nicaragua
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
South America (3 countries)
Brazil
Colombia
Uruguay
Oceania (1 country)
Fiji