The United States of America (USA) has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan.
According to an internal State Department directive, consular officers across the globe have been instructed to pause the issuance of immigrant visas while the department conducts a broad reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures. The freeze is scheduled to take effect on January 21 and will remain in place until further notice.
The policy targets applicants deemed likely to rely on government assistance after entering the United States. Under the new guidance, visa officers have been told to refuse applications using existing legal provisions while updated evaluation criteria are being reviewed.
List of Countries With Suspended Immigration Visas
Afghanistan
Cambodia
Grenada
Libya
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Albania
Cameroon
Guatemala
Macedonia
Senegal
Algeria
Cape Verde
Guinea
Moldova
Sierra Leone
Antigua and Barbuda
Colombia
Haiti
Mongolia
Somalia
Armenia
Cote d’Ivoire
Iran
Montenegro
South Sudan
Azerbaijan
Cuba
Iraq
Morocco
Sudan
Bahamas
Democratic Republic of Congo
Jamaica
Nepal
Syria
Bangladesh
Dominica
Jordan
Nicaragua
Tanzania
Barbados
Egypt
Kazakhstan
Nigeria
Thailand
Belarus
Eritrea
Kosovo
Pakistan
Togo
Belize
Ethiopia
Kuwait
Republic of the Congo
Tunisia
Bhutan
Fiji
Kyrgyzstan
Russia
Uganda
Bosnia
Gambia
Laos
Rwanda
Uruguay
Brazil
Georgia
Lebanon
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Uzbekistan
Burma
Ghana
Liberia
Saint Lucia
Yemen
Stricter Screening Criteria
A State Department memo circulated to US embassies and consulates in November 2025 outlined expanded screening standards. These guidelines instruct officers to consider a wide range of personal factors when assessing applicants, including age, health, financial stability, English proficiency, employment prospects, and potential long-term medical needs.
Applicants who are elderly, suffer from chronic illnesses, or have previously relied on public assistance could face rejection. Even prior institutionalization or limited income may now weigh heavily against approval.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott defended the move, saying the department would use its legal authority to prevent individuals from becoming a financial burden on the American public.
