BREAKING NEWS: United States will indefinitely suspend all visa issuances to citizens of 75 countries, with the suspension scheduled to begin on January 21, 2026. According to the report, the policy adjustment is aimed at tightening enforcement against so-called “public charge” visa applicants.
The report states that the affected countries span multiple regions worldwide, including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Major countries named in the report include Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Pakistan, Cuba, and Syria, impacting numerous large populations and emerging economies.
List of Countries Covered by the Reported Suspension
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote 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, and Yemen.
Visa Processing to Be Fully Halted; Uncertainty Remains
The report describes the suspension as a major adjustment to U.S. immigration policy. The “public charge” screening mechanism is intended to restrict applicants who may rely on U.S. public welfare systems. However, due to the scope and intensity of the suspension, the policy has drawn widespread international attention.
For citizens of the affected countries planning travel to the United States, the existing visa application process will be fully halted. At present, there is no clear timeline regarding whether previously submitted applications will be affected or when visa processing may resume.
Employment-Based Immigration and EB-5 Quotas Remain Intact
Despite the reported visa suspension, U.S. employment-based immigration quotas and EB-5 visa allocations for Fiscal Year 2027 remain unchanged, according to existing policy frameworks.
As the fifth preference category of employment-based immigration, EB-5 continues to operate under the 2022 policy structure. Congressional data cited in the report shows that employment-based immigration maintains an annual quota of 140,000 visas, with EB-5 accounting for approximately 7.1 percent, or about 9,940 visas, including dependents.
U.S. Department of State data indicates that global EB-5 visa issuances reached 4,608 in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025, representing a 90 percent year-on-year increase, highlighting continued demand for the program.
Reserved Quotas and Priority Processing
Under current rules, 3,200 EB-5 visas are reserved annually for rural, high-unemployment urban, and infrastructure projects. Unused reserved visas may be carried over to subsequent fiscal years, preventing quota waste and expanding effective availability.
In addition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is required to prioritize I-526 petition processing for visa-reserved projects, offering faster approval timelines compared to standard EB-5 cases.
High-Skilled Immigration Categories Unaffected
The broader employment-based immigration framework—including EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories—has not been affected by the 75-country visa suspension. The total annual quota remains fixed, with no reduction in allocations for high-skilled or talent-based categories.
Although the H-1B program has shifted to a high-salary weighted lottery system, employment-based green card pathways continue to support skilled worker transitions.
Waiting Time Considerations and Policy Stability
The report notes that applicants from high-demand countries, particularly China, may still face waiting time pressures due to per-country caps. However, reserved EB-5 visas—especially rural projects—continue to provide a mechanism to mitigate delays.
The EB-5 Regional Center Program Act has been extended through September 30, 2027, ensuring policy stability throughout Fiscal Year 2027.
Broader Immigration Policy Implications
According to the report, the suspension underscores the U.S. government’s continued emphasis on screening-oriented immigration enforcement. While the policy has disrupted global mobility plans, it has not altered the U.S. approach to attracting high-quality investment and high-skilled talent.
This remains a developing news story, with further official clarification expected.