Recent reports indicate that the U.S. Department of State has issued internal guidance directing consular officers to temporarily refuse certain immigrant visas while the Department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures. According to a State Department memo first reported by Fox News Digital, this pause began January 21 and will continue indefinitely until further review is completed.
This development has created uncertainty for many families, investors, and employers worldwide. Below, we break down what this means, who may be affected, and how immigration applicants can protect themselves during this period.
The State Department has instructed consular officers to rely on existing legal authority to refuse visas while immigrant visa processing is reassessed for certain countries. This is not a formal “travel ban,” but rather a pause in immigrant visa issuance tied to enhanced scrutiny.
A key focus of this reassessment is the “public charge” ground of inadmissibility, a long-standing provision of U.S. immigration law that allows visa officers to deny applications if they believe an individual is likely to rely on public benefits in the future.
The public charge concept has existed for decades, but how it is enforced has varied significantly depending on the administration:
Under prior Trump-era policies, the public charge rule was expanded to consider a broader range of public benefits and personal characteristics.
Under the Biden administration (2022 rule), enforcement was narrowed primarily to cash assistance and long-term institutional care, excluding programs like:
Medicaid
SNAP (food stamps)
WIC
Housing assistance
The recent guidance signals a return to broader discretion for consular officers, allowing them to weigh factors such as:
Age and health
Financial stability
English proficiency
Past or potential use of government assistance
Potential need for long-term medical care
While this authority has always existed under the Immigration and Nationality Act, enforcement is now expected to be more aggressive and less uniform, depending on the country and consular post.
The State Department has cited concerns related to fraud, abuse of public benefits, and national security screening in certain regions. For example, Somalia has received heightened attention following large-scale fraud investigations involving public benefit programs in the United States.
It is important to note that nationality alone does not determine visa eligibility, but applicants from listed countries may now face:
Longer delays
Increased documentation requests
More intensive interviews
Higher denial rates under public charge standards
If you or a family member are applying for an immigrant visa and are from one of the listed countries:
Your application may be delayed or refused temporarily
You may need to provide stronger financial evidence
Affidavits of Support, income documentation, and asset proof are more important than ever
Prior use of certain benefits may be scrutinized, even if lawful at the time
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and policies may change again depending on administrative or legal developments.
Periods of policy transition are when legal guidance matters most. An experienced immigration attorney can:
Evaluate public charge risk before a visa interview
Strengthen financial documentation and affidavits
Identify alternative visa strategies where available
Monitor policy updates and consular practices in real time
While this pause has understandably caused concern, it does not mean immigration is closed. It does mean that careful preparation, documentation, and legal strategy are more critical than ever—especially for applicants from affected countries.
If you have questions about how this policy may impact your immigration plans, consulting with an immigration attorney early can help you avoid costly delays or denials.
The reported pause applies to immigrant visa applicants from over 75 countries. For clarity, we have organized the full list alphabetically below.
A–C
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Bhutan
Bosnia
Brazil
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Colombia
Cote d’Ivoire
Cuba
D–G
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dominica
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
H–L
Haiti
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
M–N
Macedonia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
P–R
Pakistan
Republic of the Congo
Russia
Rwanda
S–Z
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
Yemen