The United States Department of State has ordered a temporary halt to visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria and Russia, as it undertakes a comprehensive review of immigration screening procedures.
According to an internal directive first reported by *Fox News*, the pause is set to begin on January 21 and will remain in effect indefinitely while the review is conducted. The move is linked to Washington's efforts to tighten enforcement of the "public charge" rule, which allows visa denials to individuals deemed likely to depend on public benefits.
Scope and Impact of the Pause
The suspension affects multiple visa categories—including tourist, student, work, and family-based visas—across a wide range of nations spanning Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Other affected countries include Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Brazil, and Thailand.
Under the directive, consular officers are instructed to refuse applications using existing provisions of U.S. immigration law until the reassessment is complete. No timeline has been provided for when normal processing might resume, nor have humanitarian exemptions been clarified.
Focus on "Public Charge" Enforcement
The policy shift follows guidance issued by the State Department in November 2025, which expanded the factors consular officers must consider when evaluating applicants. These now include age, health, English proficiency, financial resources, employment prospects, and potential long-term medical needs.
Somalia has drawn particular attention from U.S. authorities following a major welfare fraud investigation in Minnesota, where many of those implicated were of Somali origin. While Nigeria was not specifically highlighted in the memo, its inclusion places it among countries facing intensified scrutiny at a time when thousands of Nigerians apply for U.S. visas each year.
Implications for Travel and Diplomacy
The pause is expected to create significant uncertainty for prospective travelers, students, and families from affected nations, potentially straining diplomatic and people-to-people ties. It represents one of the broadest visa restrictions implemented in recent years and signals a continued focus on immigration control under the current U.S. administration.
The State Department has not commented on whether countries will be removed from the list individually as reviews are completed, leaving applicants in limbo as they await further updates.
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