what are the 75 countries visa freeze
The “75 countries visa freeze” refers to the new U.S. policy pausing immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, with no set end date. It mainly targets immigrant visas (permanent immigration), not standard tourist visits, but it is still causing major concern worldwide.
Quick scoop
- The pause affects immigrant visas for people whose nationality is from one of 75 listed countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
- It is being described as an “indefinite” pause, meaning there is no official timeline for when processing will restart.
- The administration links the policy to concerns about future use of public assistance and broader migration control.
Which 75 countries are included?
U.S. media outlets have published the full list as released to them by government and State Department sources. The 75 affected countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia)
- Brazil
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- North Macedonia (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
- Yemen
Note: India, China, and Mexico are not on the list, which many reports highlight specifically.
What exactly is being “frozen”?
- The policy is about immigrant visas (people intending to move permanently), not outright banning every form of travel from these countries.
- Consulates are expected to stop scheduling or issuing most immigrant visas for these nationalities while the pause is in effect.
- Non‑immigrant categories (tourist, student, business) may be treated differently and can be subject to separate rules and background checks.
Why is this trending now?
- The freeze comes just as the U.S. prepares to host major global events (including the World Cup cycle), so people are debating its impact on players, fans, and migrants from football‑heavy countries like Brazil, Nigeria, and Uruguay.
- It also lands amid ongoing political arguments inside the U.S. about migration, welfare costs, and national security, making it a very heated topic on news sites and forums.
If you’re personally affected
- Expect delays or cancellations if you had an immigrant visa interview or immigrant case in process from one of these 75 countries.
- Check official U.S. government announcements (embassy or consulate website where your case is filed) for the most current and legally authoritative updates, since consular posts may issue local guidance over the next days and weeks.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.