Russia and Iran Among 75 Countries Affected by US Visa Freeze in Immigration Crackdown

The US State Department is suspending visa processing for citizens of 75 countries as part of a broader effort to prevent applicants who may become a public burden from entering the United States.

According to an internal State Department memo first reported by Fox News on January 14, consular officers have been instructed to deny visas under existing legal authorities while the department undertakes a review of its screening and vetting standards.

The affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Yemen, among others. The suspension is set to take effect on January 21 and will remain in place indefinitely until the review of visa procedures is completed.

According to Fox News, in November 2025, the State Department circulated a cable to diplomatic missions worldwide directing consular staff to apply stricter screening measures under the “public charge” provision of US immigration law.

Under the guidance, officers are required to deny visas to applicants considered likely to depend on public assistance. The assessment takes into account factors such as an applicant’s health, age, English-language ability, financial situation, and potential need for long-term medical care. Applicants who are older, overweight, or who have previously received government cash assistance or been institutionalized may also face rejection.

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“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement, as reported by Fox News. “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.”

Earlier, it was reported that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of Russian nationals have illegally acquired Romanian identity papers, allowing them to evade sanctions and reside within the European Union.

Investigators in Romania linked elements of the operation to the northern commune of Vârfu Câmpului near the Ukrainian border. During raids, prosecutors discovered that around 10,000 people from Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia had been registered as Romanian residents using false addresses, in some cases without the knowledge or permission of the property owners.

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