BREAKING: US Suspends Visa Processing For Nigerian Applicants, 74 Others

The United States government has announced the suspension of visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Nigeria, effective January 21, 2026.

The directive was outlined in a memo from the US State Department obtained on Wednesday.

The policy instructed US Embassies and Consulates to refuse visa applications from nationals of the affected countries under existing law while the department conducts a comprehensive reassessment of its screening, vetting, and immigration procedures. The suspension, according to reports, will remain in effect indefinitely until the review was completed.

In a statement reflecting the administration’s stance, a State Department spokesperson told Fox News that the pause was aimed at bolstering enforcement of long-standing rules against admitting foreign nationals deemed likely to become a “public charge”, individuals who may rely on US government welfare and benefits after entry.

“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” the spokesperson said.

The suspension came amid a broader immigration crackdown pursued by US President Donald Trump since assuming office for the second time in January 2025. In November 2025, he pledged to “permanently pause” migration from what he termed “Third World Countries” following a high-profile security incident near the White House.

Hereunder are the 75 countries affected by the visa processing suspension:

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Bhutan
Bosnia
Brazil
Burma
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Colombia
Côte d’Ivoire
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dominica
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Haiti
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macedonia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
Pakistan
Republic of the Congo
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Yemen