In a major increase in immigration enforcement, the US State Department announced Wednesday, January 14, 2026, that the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries will be halted indefinitely. This directive, effective from January 21, 2026, affects significant countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Iran, and Egypt.
The “Public Charge” Crackdown
The administration pointed to the longstanding “public charge” rule as the main reason for the freeze. The pause is expected to give the State Department time to reassess its screening and vetting procedures, according to an internal memo and official social media statements. The idea is not to make incoming immigrants so "primarily dependent" on the United States government to survive or "extract wealth" from American taxpayers.
“The State Department has discretion to disqualify potential immigrants as public charge on the United States,” spokesman Tommy Pigott said. Who is Affected? The suspension covers visas and specifically immigrants (green cards) who search for long-term residency via family ties or a job.
Countries Affected
75 countries comprise Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, and dozens of others all over Africa, Asia, and Latin America. What’s Not Affected: State Department officials indicated non-immigrant visas: tourist (B1/B2), student (F, M, J), and business visas currently fall out of this particular break.
Special Requirements for Bangladesh
In a separate but related notice, the US Embassy in Bangladesh announced that beginning on January 21, B1/B2 visa applicants may have to post a bond amounting to $15,000 in order to comply with the terms of their visas. The Vetting Process. Consular officers have been instructed to apply increased scrutiny in interviews. Among the factors under consideration are:
Health Conditions: Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic illnesses that could require expensive care. Financial Resources: Strong validation the applicant won’t be on Medicaid or SNAP (food stamps). English Skills: The right to show self-reliance in a language.
Next Steps for Applicants
Processing would most likely stop on January 21 for people who had pending visa applications for immigrants in the 75 affected countries. U.S. Applicants, who are already applying to be assessed in the U.S. for an “adjustment of status,” are not directly affected by any of the consular halts being imposed, but are exposed to more intense attention under the broadened definitions of public charge. Legal experts suggest that people who have been affected check official embassy communications and speak with immigration lawyers as this situation is fluid and open for legal challenge.
