Concerns spread among travelers and business communities worldwide after reports emerged that the Trump administration is preparing to suspend U.S. visa processing for citizens of up to 75 countries, a move that would represent one of the most far-reaching immigration restrictions of the current presidency.
Fox News Digital first reported that the U.S. State Department has circulated an internal memorandum instructing consular officers to halt visa application processing for dozens of countries. The memo, which has not been publicly released, was described by sources as part of a broader reassessment of visa vetting and screening standards.
The list of affected countries reportedly includes Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia—where U.S. visas are already difficult to obtain—as well as nations such as Brazil, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, and Yemen, where such a suspension would be unexpected. If fully implemented, the measure would impact citizens from more than one-third of the world’s countries.
However, according to the Associated Press, the suspension applies only to immigrant visas, which are used by individuals seeking permanent residence in the United States. The State Department has instructed consular officers to pause processing of these applications from the affected countries while a comprehensive policy review is underway.
Crucially, the halt does not extend to non-immigrant visas, including temporary tourist, student, or business visas. This distinction has provided some reassurance to international travelers, multinational firms, and executives planning short-term trips to the United States.
The move follows renewed pressure from President Donald Trump to tighten immigration controls, particularly after an Afghan national was linked to a shooting involving two National Guard members in Washington late last year. The administration has also moved to revoke deportation protections for Somali nationals, as part of a wider effort to accelerate removals in states with large immigrant populations.
U.S. visa procedures are already among the most rigorous globally, with enhanced background checks and expanded social media screening introduced in recent years. The current suspension is expected to remain in place indefinitely, pending the outcome of the State Department’s internal review.
