The United States has suspended all visa processing for Nigeria and 74 other countries in a move aimed at tightening immigration screening and preventing applicants considered likely to become a public charge from entering the country.
According to a U.S. State Department memo first obtained by Fox News Digital, consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing law while the department reviews and reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
The affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen and several others.
The suspension, which takes effect from January 21, will remain in force indefinitely pending the completion of the visa processing review.
Somalia has drawn heightened scrutiny following a major fraud scandal in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered large-scale abuse of taxpayer-funded benefit programmes. Federal officials noted that many of those involved were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans.
In November 2025, a State Department cable sent to diplomatic posts worldwide directed consular officers to implement expanded screening measures under the “public charge” provision of immigration law.
Under the new guidance, officers are required to deny visas to applicants considered likely to rely on public benefits, based on factors such as health status, age, English proficiency, financial capacity and potential need for long-term medical care.
The rules also permit visa denials for older or overweight applicants, as well as individuals with a history of government cash assistance or institutionalisation.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge in the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.
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“Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
Although the public charge provision has existed for decades, its enforcement has varied across administrations, with consular officers traditionally granted broad discretion in its application.
The State Department said exemptions to the visa suspension will be “very limited” and will only be granted after applicants have cleared public charge assessments.
*(FOX News)*