US Visa Freeze: What Puts Bangladesh and Pakistan on the Watchlist?

The United States government is putting an indefinite freeze on issuing immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries from January 21, including Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The suspension covers people seeking permanent residence, while student, tourist and other non-immigrant visas remain available under current rules.

The US State Department says the step targets foreign nationals it believes may later depend on public funds. Officials argue the measure is needed to end what they describe as abuse of the immigration system through welfare use by some new arrivals.

US suspends immigrant visas and public charge rules

According to the State Department, the pause concerns immigrant visas linked to family reunification and permanent jobs in America. It does not affect temporary categories, such as tourism, study, short-term business travel or other non-immigrant visas, which officials expect will see high demand during the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

The department says the policy is based on the “public charge” section of US immigration law. Last year, consulates were told to apply stricter checks to filter out people the administration thinks might later draw on public benefits, including cash aid or other government support programmes.

Principal Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott, speaking to CNN, said: "The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people." Pigott added that officials will halt processing while procedures are reviewed "to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits".

The department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also stated that the new pause is designed to bring "an end to the abuse" of the system "by those who would extract wealth from the American people" through access to welfare programmes after moving to the US.

US suspends immigrant visas and affected countries list

As reported by Associated Press, the suspension covers 75 countries across several regions. Many of these nations, including some in Africa and the Middle East, were already on earlier travel restriction lists introduced under President Donald Trump for alleged security or immigration concerns.

The department highlighted countries such as Somalia, Haiti, Iran and Eritrea, saying immigrants from these locations often become public charges after arriving. The pause affects applications from similar nations that US officials believe show higher risk of future dependence on American welfare schemes.

On social media, the State Department defended the move, stating: We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused.— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026

US suspends immigrant visas and visa categories explained

Under US rules, an immigrant visa is meant for people who plan to settle permanently. Applicants must have an approved petition filed by an immediate family member who is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, or by a prospective employer, before a consulate interview is arranged.

The process begins when the sponsor sends a petition to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once officials approve it, the case moves to the State Department for visa processing. By contrast, a non-immigrant visa covers temporary stays for tourism, medical treatment, study, business trips or short-term work.

State Department statistics show that in 2024 the US issued more than 600,000 immigrant visas. Most went to spouses, children and other close relatives of US citizens or existing green card holders, reflecting the long-standing emphasis on family-based immigration channels.

US suspends immigrant visas and tougher vetting measures

In November 2025, US embassies and consulates received instructions to assess applications more closely under public charge rules. Officers were told to document that visa seekers would not rely on state-funded programmes once allowed into the country, aligning with stricter guidance from Washington.

People seeking to immigrate already undergo a medical assessment by a doctor approved by a US mission. These examinations screen for illnesses such as tuberculosis and gather details of any mental health history, drug or alcohol use, violence and vaccination records before the visa decision.

Consular staff must now also evaluate age, health, family situation, finances, education and skills for each applicant, worldwide. Previous or current use of public assistance will be reviewed, and English language ability may be checked through interviews held in English, regardless of the person’s home country.

US suspends immigrant visas and criticism from experts

President Donald Trump’s administration has already tightened both legal and irregular migration channels, including extra vetting and wider travel restrictions on countries labelled security risks, such as Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and several African states. The latest pause extends that approach to a broad group of immigrant visa cases.

AP reports that research by the Cato Institute, the American Immigration Council and similar organisations conflicts with the administration’s claims. These studies have found that immigrants use public benefits at lower rates than people born in the United States, challenging the stated reason for the new policy.

Cleveland-based immigration lawyer David Leopold, a partner at Thompson Hine, questioned the need for another barrier. "I'm not sure what the utility of banning immigrant and non-immigrant visas is — we already have extraordinary vetting programs," Leopold told AP. "The way the law is already written, it's designed to prevent people who are going to be an economic burden on the country from coming in."

The State Department has also pointed to security cases to justify tougher measures. Officials referred to an incident in which an immigrant from Afghanistan was charged in November with shooting two National Guard members in Washington, DC, saying this supports tighter screening and travel limits for some foreign nationals.

The new suspension of immigrant visas for 75 countries adds to a series of steps taken since Trump took office to narrow who can enter and settle in the US. While the administration links the move to protecting public resources and security, critics argue existing law already requires strict financial and security checks for would-be immigrants.