Global Sweep: US Visa Suspension Hits Africa, Asia, and Americas

A global sweep of visa suspensions has hit 75 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The Trump administration has ordered an indefinite halt to immigrant visa processing for these nations, effective January 21. The move is based on the “public charge” rule, intended to reduce the number of immigrants who might use public benefits.
The suspension is enacted by stopping the printing of visas. Consular officers in the affected regions have been told to refuse any case that is not fully completed with a printed visa by the deadline. This effectively shuts down legal immigration channels for millions of people.
The list is notable for its geographic diversity. It includes countries like Nigeria, the most populous in Africa; Brazil, the largest in South America; and Pakistan, a major South Asian power. This broad approach suggests a systemic effort to curb immigration from the developing world.
Exceptions are available only for dual nationals of unaffected countries and those serving a national interest. These narrow exceptions leave most applicants without options.
The countries affected by this global sweep are: 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, and Yemen.