At a Glance
- The U.S. will halt ALL immigrant visas for 75 countries starting January 21.
- Tourist, student, and 2026 World Cup fan visas remain unaffected.
- The freeze targets nations whose migrants allegedly rely on U.S. welfare.
- Why it matters: Thousands who waited years for Green Cards face indefinite delays.
The State Department will suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries beginning January 21, leaving thousands of prospective permanent residents in limbo. The move, announced without a set end date, singles out nations whose migrants the agency claims “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.”
Who’s Hit-and Who’s Not
The suspension applies ONLY to immigrant visas-those seeking to live permanently in the U.S. Non-immigrant categories such as tourist (B1/B2), student (F-1), and World Cup visitor visas are explicitly exempt.
Affected countries span every continent:
- Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen
- Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda
- Europe & Eurasia: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Turkey (implicit via regional grouping)
- Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay
Notably, citizens of these countries may still apply for tourist visas, including those planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across North America.
‘In the Line’ for a Decade-Now Stopped
Immigration attorney Haim Vasquez, who represents clients statewide, emphasizes the human toll.
“We are talking about people who have been ‘in the line,'” Vasquez told News Of Fort Worth. “This is only for the people who are outside the United States who are applying to get that Green Card granted at the consulate and who might have been waiting for over a decade in many cases to obtain the Green Cards. This does not have anything to do with immigration issues at the border or people who don’t have immigration status inside the U.S.”
Vasquez challenges the data behind the ban. “When somebody’s a resident, they have to have a financial sponsor, and even if they were going to use public benefits that they do not qualify, the government can go after that sponsor,” he said.
State Department Justification
In a blunt statement, the agency said: “The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people. The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival. We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused.”
The department provided no timeline for resumption, only that the freeze lasts “for an undetermined time.”
World Cup Angle: Fans Get Fast-Track
While immigrant visas stall, the State Department is simultaneously courting global soccer fans. Andrew Giuliani, in a video posted Sunday on the agency’s X account, declared: “America is excited to welcome the world for the 2026 World Cup.”
Giuliani toured AT&T Stadium last month; the venue will host nine matches, including reigning champion Argentina. He promised prioritization for ticket holders under the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS) launching early 2026.
Visa wait times for Argentinians and Brazilians will drop from one year to two months or less, Giuliani said. Visitors from 42 Visa Waiver Program countries-including Croatia, the Netherlands, Japan, and Austria-can use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Fans from Argentina or Jordan, however, must secure B1/B2 visas.
Crucially, residents of the 75 suspended countries can still seek tourist visas for the tournament. “Now, tourist visas are not granted freely,” Vasquez warned. “They will have to be evaluated, and the government will determine whether or not the person has the intent to come back to their country in the process of granting that permit.”
Key Takeaways
- Indefinite freeze: 75 countries face immigrant visa suspension with no restart date.
- Green Card backlog: Applicants who waited 10+ years must keep waiting.
- Tourism untouched: World Cup fans, students, and short-term travelers remain eligible.
- Data dispute: Attorneys question the welfare-dependency rationale behind the list.
