Up to 10,000 Russian applications for U.S. immigrant visas have been frozen

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Changes in U.S. rules could affect around 10,000 Russian citizens who applied to the U.S. Department of State for immigrant visas, RIA Novosti reports. The measure concerns applications that were already under review and had received neither approval nor denial. Decisions on these cases have effectively been put on hold for an indefinite period without official explanations.

Attorney and co-founder of the Miami-based law firm Leone Zhgun PA, Artem Zhgun, said that the exact number of frozen cases is unknown. In his estimate, the total number of affected applications across all countries could reach hundreds of thousands.

The decision is linked to Washington’s announcement of a suspension of immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia. The U.S. Department of State said the measure is being introduced as part of tighter screening of applicants, will take effect on January 21, and will remain in place for an unspecified period.



The suspension is being implemented without any change to legislation and is based on an internal Department of State memorandum circulated to U.S. consulates. The document places particular emphasis on the public charge provision, which allows authorities to deny entry to foreign nationals who may potentially rely on government assistance.

Public charge has been part of U.S. immigration law for decades, although the degree of its application has changed repeatedly. In 2019, the administration of Donald Trump expanded the list of factors considered in visa adjudications, but those changes were partially challenged in court and later overturned. The current version of the rules, adopted in 2022, significantly narrowed the grounds for refusal, but the new memorandum effectively restores a tougher approach.

Consular officers are instructed to take into account applicants’ financial situation, health status, age, level of English proficiency, and the likelihood of requiring long-term medical care. These factors are used to assess the potential burden on the U.S. social welfare system. The restrictions apply exclusively to immigrant visas and do not affect tourist visas in the B1/B2 category, student F visas, or exchange J visas. The document allows for possible exceptions, but only after additional screening of applicants.

Previously, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ian Bateson said that U.S. authorities continuously review around 55 million visa holders and revoke documents if violations are identified. In addition, U.S. authorities are expanding checks of applicants’ activity on social media. The analysis will cover prospective tourists and students, with particular attention paid to posts that could be interpreted as hostile toward U.S. citizens, institutions, and values. State Department staff have been instructed to identify support for or justification of terrorist organizations, as well as manifestations of antisemitic aggression.

Since the start of Donald Trump’s second term, more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked, more than double last year’s figure, according to The Washington Post. The main reason cited was criminal offenses, although 200–300 people lost their visas on suspicion of links to terrorist organizations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced an immediate suspension of the issuance of work visas to foreign truck drivers, citing an increase in accidents and threats to employment for U.S. citizens.

The United States has also introduced additional financial and procedural measures. Since August 2025, a bond system has been in place for citizens of Malawi and Zambia applying for nonimmigrant visas, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, with a base amount of no less than $10,000 refundable upon timely departure.

From September, personal interviews have become mandatory for most categories of nonimmigrant visas, with exceptions for diplomats and applicants who previously held valid visas. From October, a new “visa integrity” fee of $250 has been introduced, charged in addition to the standard consular fee. As a result, the minimum cost of obtaining a visa has risen to $435.



The tightening of visa policy is taking place against the backdrop of statements by U.S. President Donald Trump calling for a radical reduction in illegal migration. On his inauguration day as the 47th president, he pledged to immediately stop illegal entry and launch a large-scale deportation process. A nationwide state of emergency was also declared due to the situation on the southern border.

On December 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that more than 2.5 million undocumented migrants had been deported from the country over the previous year, stressing that these figures are viewed by the authorities as only the initial stage of a tougher policy.

Analysts at International Investment note that the combined measures are shaping a new model of visa control in which country-based restrictions and expanded assessments of socio-economic risks play a central role.. In the absence of clear timelines and formal criteria for reviewing decisions, this significantly complicates long-term planning for immigration to the United States and increases uncertainty for applicants, even when all formal requirements are met.