The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
Some of the countries reportedly affected include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand.
The memo directs U.S. embassies and consulates to refuse visas under existing law while the State Department reassesses visa procedures, though it provides no timeline for when normal processing might resume.
A spokesperson for the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the memo, first reported by FOX news, or the country list.
The suspension is part of a broad immigration crackdown pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In November 2025, Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from what he called “Third World Countries” following a deadly shooting near the White House by an Afghan national.
The visa pause is expected to affect applications for tourist, business, student and other travel categories, potentially disrupting travel, education and family visits worldwide.
Immigration advocates have blasted the move as overly broad, saying it could unfairly penalise travellers with no ties to security threats.
The policy also coincides with an expanded visa bond requirement that, from 21 January 2026, will oblige certain visitor visa applicants from 38 countries to post refundable security bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for tourist and business visas, according to the State Department’s updated rules.
However, posting a bond does not guarantee a visa will be issued, and the exact amount will be determined by consular officers during visa interviews.
Critics argue that the combined measures risk isolating the United States and harming travel and educational exchanges, while the White House maintains they are necessary to protect national security and immigration system integrity.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and a senior tri...
The United Arab Emirates suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran on Tuesday after saying Iranian missiles had targeted maritime na...
Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections despite the war with Russia, mounting what is widely seen as the bigges...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer at the court Abdoulaye Seye on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Ukraine's parliament has approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defence minister, cementing a key leadership change as Kyiv navigates wartime priorities and a broader government reorganisation.
Thai schools conducted active shooter drills on Wednesday (19 August), as authorities moved to strengthen security measures two weeks after a 14-year-old opened fire at a school and killed at least eight people.
Apple has announced a major overhaul of its business terms for apps distributed in the European Union, introducing a five per cent commission on digital transactions outside its App Store and simplifying its fee structure as it seeks to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
A record number of humanitarian workers were killed, injured or kidnapped in 2025, with the growing use of armed drones contributing to mounting risks in conflict zones, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment