US set to pause visas for 75 countries from Jan 21, including Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil

The memo directs consular officers to more aggressively enforce the 'public charge' provision of US immigration law, which permits denial of visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits

• US pauses visa processing for applicants from 75 countries starting Jan 21
• Consular officers to enforce 'public charge' rules more strictly during review
• Limited exceptions allowed; pause is indefinite pending procedure review

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The US State Department has paused all visa processing for applicants from 75 countries starting Jan. 21, ordering consular officers to deny visas under existing law while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures.

The move, detailed in a State Department memo first reported by Fox News Digital, applies to countries including Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen. The pause is indefinite and allows only 'very limited' exceptions after applicants clear public charge considerations.

US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iranhttps://t.co/EAFsAcsATz

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 14, 2026

What changed

The memo directs consular officers to more aggressively enforce the 'public charge' provision of US immigration law, which permits denial of visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits. Officers are instructed to weigh factors such as health, age, English proficiency, finances and potential need for long-term medical care. Past use of government cash assistance or institutionalisation may also trigger denial.

The department will use its authority to bar potential immigrants who would “exploit the generosity of the American people,” adding that immigration from the 75 countries will be paused during the reassessment.

Why Somalia is under scrutiny

Somalia has drawn heightened attention following a large fraud case in Minnesota involving abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Federal prosecutors said many of those charged were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans, a development cited by officials as part of the context for stricter screening.

Policy context

While the public charge provision has existed for decades, enforcement has varied by administration. In 2019, President Donald Trump expanded the definition to include a broader set of public benefits; parts of that expansion were challenged in court and later rescinded. In 2022, the Biden administration narrowed the scope to focus largely on cash assistance and long-term institutional care, excluding programs such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid and housing vouchers under President Joe Biden.