The United States has announced a suspension of visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Russia, and a dozen additional countries, citing a comprehensive review of its immigration screening system, according to an internal directive from the US Department of State.
Set to begin on the 21st of January, the directive instructs American embassies and consulates to pause visa processing for citizens of at least 73 nations while authorities reevaluate their vetting procedures.
As reported by Fox News on Wednesday, the 14th of January, 2026, the memo instructs consular officers to continue relying on existing legal grounds to deny applications during this review period. The suspension affects multiple visa categories and does not have a defined end date, as officials have yet to specify when the reassessment will conclude.
The affected countries span Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Included are Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil, and Thailand.
Officials link the policy to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision in immigration law, which allows denial of visas to applicants considered likely to depend on government assistance.
In November 2025, the State Department instructed diplomatic missions worldwide to adopt more stringent standards when assessing such risks.
Under the revised guidance, consular officers must now consider additional factors such as applicants’ age, health status, English proficiency, financial resources, employment opportunities, and potential need for long-term medical care.
READ ALSO: US Revokes Over 100,000 Visas in Sweeping Immigration Enforcement Drive
Somalia has come under particular scrutiny after a federal investigation in Minnesota revealed widespread fraud involving publicly funded welfare programs. Prosecutors noted that many implicated were Somali nationals or of Somali descent, leading to intensified attention on visa applications from the country.
Although Nigeria was not specifically mentioned in the memo, its inclusion places it among nations now subject to more rigorous entry requirements. This decision affects the growing number of Nigerians applying for US visas for education, work, tourism, and family reunification.
The State Department has not clarified whether humanitarian exemptions will be allowed or how long the suspension might last, leaving students, travelers, and families uncertain about their plans.
Analysts caution that the policy may disrupt mobility, delay educational and professional pursuits, and strain diplomatic relations between the United States and the impacted countries.