A U.S. flag at half-mast. (Credit: AFP)
The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it had ordered its embassies in 75 countries, including Lebanon, to suspend the processing of immigration visas starting on Jan. 21.
According to the U.S. administration, the suspensions are targeting countries whose nationals are believed to require financial assistance from the state should they move to the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump first triggered the process in November, but the announcement and the number of countries affected still comes as a surprise and some uncertainty still surrounds the decision.
Who is affected by this decision and what does this new measure mean?
What about ongoing applications and already scheduled appointments?
According to the guidelines published on the State Department's website, "immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews."
The State Department "will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause."
And for dual nationals?
According to the State Department, anyone with dual nationality, meaning one of the 75 affected countries (see below) and another that is not on this list, is exempt from the suspension.
Is the decision retroactive?
Immigrant visas that have already been issued are not being revoked for the time being, as noted on the State Department website.
However, a cable sent to U.S. consular officers in November, which required them to ensure that visa applicants have sufficient financial means, ordered officers to refuse any applicant whose visa has been "authorized for printing" but not yet printed, or whose visa has been printed but has not left the consular section.
What about other types of visas?
This suspension specifically concerns immigrant visa applicants. "Tourist visas are non-immigrant visas," according to the State Department website.
When will these measures start being applied?
The suspension of immigrant visas is expected to begin on Jan. 21, 2026.
What countries are affected?
The measures announced apply to applicants from the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Democratic Republic of 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.
Why was this decision made?
"President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans. The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge," the U.S. State Department briefly explained.
