Ban on immigrant visas: the U.S. publishes the full list of countries

Photo: CNBC

The U.S. State Department has confirmed the suspension of immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries and, for the first time, published the full list of states subject to the restrictions. The decision takes effect on January 21, 2026, and is linked to tougher assessments of risk and the potential burden on the federal budget. The restrictions do not apply to tourist or student visa categories, CNBC notes.

The move is based on an internal directive of the State Department sent to U.S. consular posts. It effectively freezes the processing of new immigrant visas until a review of visa procedures is completed. In official explanations, U.S. authorities emphasize that nationals of the countries on the list “rely on public assistance at unacceptable rates”, creating an additional burden on the U.S. budget and social welfare system.

The published list covers countries from all regions of the world — including U.S. allies and states in political confrontation with Washington — as well as destinations popular with American travelers.

The Americas

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize;

Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica;

Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica;

Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia;

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.

Europe

Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro;

North Macedonia.

Asia-Pacific

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan;

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji;

Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan;

Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan;

Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar;

Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria;

Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Africa

Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire;

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt;

Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea;

Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria;

Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal;

Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan;

Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia;

Togo, Tunisia, Uganda.

The suspension does not affect B1/B2 tourist visas, F student visas, or J exchange program visas. It also does not apply to immigrant visas that have already been issued, although U.S. authorities have previously said they may review decisions made under the previous administration.

The publication of the full list is part of a broader series of restrictive measures in U.S. migration and visa policy implemented by the Donald Trump administration since late 2025. In December, U.S. authorities had already suspended the Diversity Visa program, which allowed up to 55,000 immigrants a year to enter the country from nations with historically low levels of migration to the United States.



In November 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow said that, at the president’s direction, a “full-scale and rigorous review of every Green Card issued to nationals of countries of concern” had been launched. He stressed that American taxpayers “will not bear the cost of the prior administration’s irresponsible resettlement policies”.

Holders of immigrant visas and permanent resident status in the United States — Green Cards — are eligible for certain types of public assistance, but access to a number of programs is restricted. In particular, a five-year waiting period applies to benefits such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, according to data from the non-profit organization USAFacts.

Additionally, the U.S. State Department reported that more than 100,000 visas were revoked in 2025. These included permits for tourists who overstayed their visas, around 8,000 student visas, and approximately 2,500 visas for skilled workers. The grounds for revocation ranged from criminal offenses such as driving under the influence to theft.



Analysts at International Investment note that an administrative pause without a defined timeline for review effectively allows the authorities to halt the admission of new immigrants under virtually any criterion without changing existing legislation. For citizens of countries included on the banned list, this creates legal uncertainty in which even formally eligible applicants cannot assess their prospects for obtaining permanent status.