US Suspend Visa Processing For 75 Countries, Including Nigeria, Russia And Iran

The United States State Department has announced a suspension on visa processing for applicants from 75 countries as part of a move to tighten checks on people considered likely to rely on public welfare.

According to Fox News, consular officers have been instructed to stop issuing visas under existing laws while the department reviews its screening and vetting process.

Countries affected by the suspension include Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, Yemen, and several others.

The visa pause is scheduled to begin on January 21, 2026 and will remain in place until further notice, pending the outcome of the review.

Somalia has come under particular attention following a major fraud case in Minnesota, where investigators uncovered large-scale abuse of government-funded benefit programmes.

Many of those linked to the case were identified as Somali nationals or Somali-Americans.

In November 2025, the State Department had already sent instructions to embassies and consulates worldwide, directing officers to apply stricter screening under the “public charge” rule of U.S. immigration law.

Under the updated guidance, visa applicants can be denied if they are considered likely to depend on public assistance.

Factors to be assessed include age, health status, financial situation, ability to speak English, and the possibility of requiring long-term medical care.

Applicants who are elderly, overweight, or who have previously received government cash support or lived in publicly funded institutions may also face rejection.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said the action is aimed at preventing abuse of public resources.

 “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” Piggott said.

“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”

Although the public charge rule has existed for decades, how strictly it is enforced has changed over time, depending on the administration. Consular officers have traditionally had wide discretion in making these decisions.

Only limited exemptions will be allowed under the new pause, and only after an applicant has been cleared under public charge requirements.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Donald Trump revealed that about 33.3% of Nigerian immigrant families in the United States receive some type of government assistance.