U.S. to halt green card visa processing for 75 nations on new public charge policy

The United States will stop processing immigrant visas for 75 countries beginning Wednesday, Jan. 21, according to reports from ABC News. The State Department announced this freeze as part of efforts to prevent applicants who might rely on public assistance from entering the country. An internal memo revealed that embassies and consulates must pause visa decisions while the department reviews its screening procedures.

The suspension affects nations including Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen. However, ABC News clarifies that tourists and business travelers seeking temporary visas will not face restrictions. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott explained in the report that officials want to stop people from taking advantage of America's immigration system and using taxpayer-funded benefits.

Public charge rules drive new policy

Fox News first obtained the State Department memo outlining the visa freeze details. The pause will continue indefinitely until authorities complete their review of immigration processing methods. Officers at consular posts received instructions in November to apply stricter screening under public charge provisions, Fox News reports.

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These guidelines require officials to consider factors like health conditions, age, English language skills, financial resources, and potential medical needs when evaluating applications. People who previously used government cash assistance or might need long-term care could face visa denials, Fox News says. The public charge rule has existed for decades, but enforcement changed significantly across different presidential administrations. The Biden administration previously limited which benefits counted toward public charge determinations.

Timing and regional impact

Newsweek confirmed with the State Department that visa processing stops on Wednesday, Jan. 21, with no scheduled end date. The affected countries span primarily across Asia and Africa, representing a significant expansion of previous travel restrictions. Russia's inclusion marks a notable change from earlier policies that excluded Moscow despite ongoing tensions over Ukraine, as Newsweek notes. Albania, the Bahamas, Cambodia, Egypt, Georgia, Jamaica, and Lebanon also appear on the list for the first time.