US President Trump Suspends Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries Worldwide

US Authorities Announce Suspension of Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries

The US State Department has announced that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, effective January 21. This move applies to individuals seeking permanent residence in the United States and does not affect visitors or short-term visa holders.

The affected countries include those in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Nationals of these countries may still submit immigrant visa applications, but no visas will be approved or issued during the suspension period.

Dual nationals who apply using a valid passport from a country not included in the suspension are exempt from this rule. Non-immigrant, temporary, tourist, or business visas remain unaffected by the suspension.

The State Department stated that the decision was made to reassess immigration processing procedures and prevent foreign nationals from receiving welfare and public benefits. The exact duration of the suspension is unclear, with no indication of a specific deadline for its lifting.

This move follows a series of recent changes to US immigration policies, including tightened checks on potential immigrants and expanded limits on migration from certain countries. In June, the administration imposed a full travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, and in September, it increased the fee for H-1B visas.

Source: Al Jazeera