Nigeria, Russia Among 75 Countries Hit as US Pauses Visa Processing
The United States has announced a major halt to visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria and Russia, as Washington moves to enforce stricter immigration screening protocols centered on welfare dependence concerns.
The US Department of State directed consular officers to suspend visa processing for the affected nations starting January 21.
According to an internal memo first reported by Fox News, the pause will remain in effect indefinitely pending a “broad reassessment of screening and vetting procedures.”
This directive mandates that visa officers refuse applications under existing provisions of US immigration law while the review is ongoing.
The suspension cuts across multiple visa categories, affecting travelers from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Besides Nigeria and Russia, other listed countries include Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Brazil, and Thailand.
The policy shift is reportedly anchored on the “public charge” rule, a statutory element of US immigration law that permits authorities to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to rely on government subsistence.
In November 2025, the State Department had already signaled this tightening by issuing guidance to embassies worldwide to enforce the rule more rigorously.
That guidance expanded the criteria for assessment, compelling consular officers to scrutinize applicants’ age, health status, English proficiency, financial capacity, employment prospects, and potential need for long-term medical care.
The inclusion of Somalia in the list has been linked to recent federal investigations in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded welfare programs, implicating Somali nationals and Somali-Americans.
While Nigeria was not specifically singled out for similar infractions in the memo, its inclusion places thousands of annual applicants for student, work, and tourist visas in a state of limbo.
The State Department has yet to provide a timeline for when the review will be concluded or clarify if humanitarian exemptions will be granted during the suspension period.
“The move is expected to deepen uncertainty for prospective travellers, students and families, particularly from developing countries, and could further strain diplomatic and people-to-people ties with affected nations,” the report noted.
This development marks a significant escalation in migration controls, leaving applicants from the 75 affected nations facing an indefinite wait as the US reevaluates its admission standards.
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