US restricts visa processing from 75 countries
The changes are intended to restrict immigration from countries whose citizens are deemed likely to become reliant on government benefits
The US government has placed an indefinite pause on visa processing from 75 countries, restricting legal routes for entry into the US for many people.
The order will take effect on 21 January, and covers a list of nations covering parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, stated that the aim of the visa suspension was to restrict the immigration of those deemed likely to become a “public charge” of the US, and “exploit the generosity of the American people” – i.e. by becoming reliant on welfare and public benefits.
The suspension will reportedly not apply to non-immigrant, temporary tourist, or business visas.
The full list of countries is: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, the Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
The move follows the State Department’s introduction of a new US$100,000 charge for those applying for an H-1B worker’s visa last September.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor for Voyageur Group, joining in 2021. He writes for both ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision and air medical transportation. He also serves as Title Editor of the Assistance & Repatriation Reviews. Oliver holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University, as well as a BA in English with Creative Writing from Falmouth University.