United States Suspends Visa Processing for Visitors From 75 Countries

The United States is set to suspend all visa issuance procedures for visitors from 75 countries starting January 21, according to a memo issued by the U.S. State Department and reported by Fox News on Wednesday.

Among the countries affected are Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand, the report said, though a full list has not been officially released.

Under the directive, U.S. embassies have been instructed to deny visa applications under existing legal authorities while the State Department conducts a broad review of its screening and vetting procedures. No timeline has been provided for when visa processing may resume.

The move comes amid an aggressive immigration crackdown launched by President Donald Trump since returning to office in January, marking one of the most restrictive phases of U.S. immigration policy in recent decades.

In November, Trump pledged to “completely stop immigration” from what he described as “third-world countries” following a shooting near the White House carried out by an Afghan national that resulted in the death of a National Guard member.

The administration has since moved swiftly to tighten border controls, expand deportations, and impose stricter standards for legal entry into the United States.

Earlier this week, the State Department announced it had revoked more than 100,000 visas since Trump took office last year, setting a new record as the administration accelerates enforcement measures. The revocations include individuals holding previously valid visas, reflecting a dramatic expansion of the government’s authority to reassess entry permissions.

Officials have also implemented more stringent vetting requirements for new visa applicants, including expanded reviews of social media accounts and enhanced background checks.

The scale of the suspension is likely to have far-reaching consequences for travel, education, and business ties between the United States and dozens of countries. Analysts warn that the lack of clarity around the duration of the suspension could create uncertainty for students, tourists, and companies with cross-border operations.

The decision also underscores a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy under Trump, prioritizing national security and enforcement over mobility and openness, an approach that continues to reshape America’s relationship with the rest of the world.

For now, visa applicants from the affected countries face an indefinite freeze, as the administration signals it is prepared to fundamentally overhaul how, and from where, the United States allows entry.

Here is the full list

Afghanistan

Albania

Algeria

Antigua and Barbuda

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Bahamas

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belarus

Belize

Bhutan

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

Myanmar

Cambodia

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Colombia

Côte d’Ivoire

Cuba

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

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Lebanon

Liberia

Libya

North Macedonia

Moldova

Mongolia

Montenegro

Morocco

Nepal

Nicaragua

Nigeria

Pakistan

Republic of the Congo

Russia

Rwanda

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Syria

Tanzania

Thailand

Togo

Tunisia

Uganda

Uruguay

Uzbekistan

Yemen