Why the US has frozen immigrant visas for 75 countries and till when it will last?

The US has paused issuing new immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, citing concerns over future welfare use, as part of a wider tightening of immigration policy under the Trump administration.

Why has the US frozen immigrant visas?

The US State Department has announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, arguing that applicants from these nations rely on public assistance at “unacceptable rates”. The administration says the move is intended to prevent future immigrants from becoming a “public charge” and placing a financial burden on American taxpayers.

In official statements and social media posts, the government said the pause would remain until it can ensure that new immigrants will not “extract wealth from the American people”. The decision reflects a broader effort by the administration to tighten legal immigration pathways alongside stricter enforcement and deportation measures.

Which countries are affected?

The suspension applies to 75 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa. The list includes US allies and adversaries, as well as countries that are popular travel destinations for Americans. Nations affected range from Brazil, Colombia and Haiti in the Americas, to Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand in Asia-Pacific, and Nigeria, Egypt and Somalia in Africa. The full list has been published on the State Department’s website.

What types of visas are impacted?

The freeze applies only to new immigrant visas, which are issued to people seeking permanent residence in the US. It does not affect tourist, business or short-term travel visas. Existing immigrant visas and previously issued green cards are also not directly impacted by this announcement.

However, the administration has indicated that immigration benefits granted under the previous government are under review, signalling increased scrutiny even for those who already hold lawful status.

When will the visa freeze begin?

The State Department has confirmed that the pause will take effect on 21 January. From that date, immigrant visa processing for applicants from the listed countries will be halted.

How long will the freeze last?

No end date has been specified. The State Department has said the suspension will remain in place until the US can put safeguards in place to ensure that future immigrants will not rely on public assistance. This makes the freeze indefinite and dependent on further policy decisions rather than a fixed timeline.

How does this fit into broader immigration policy?

The visa freeze follows a series of immigration restrictions introduced in recent months, including the pausing of diversity visa programmes, expanded travel bans affecting dozens of countries, and the revocation of more than 100,000 visas in 2025 for overstays and criminal offences. The administration has also reported large-scale deportations and voluntary departures since returning to office.

What are the concerns around the move?

Migration policy experts have warned that the suspension could have far-reaching consequences, including discouraging immigrant families from accessing lawful public benefits for fear of harming future immigration prospects. Research has also challenged claims that immigrants use more welfare than native-born Americans, suggesting the policy may have broader social and economic implications.

For now, the visa freeze represents one of the most sweeping restrictions on legal immigration in recent years, with its duration tied to future assessments by the US government rather than a defined end point.