JUST IN: US suspends visa processing for Nigeria, Brazil, over 70 different international locations

Visa candidates from Nigeria, Brazil and over 70 different international locations will face a short lived halt in processing at U.S. embassies and consulates.

The suspension stems from new directives issued in Washington designed to tighten immigration controls over issues about reliance on public welfare.

The U.S. Division of State has instructed consular officers to droop visa processing for the affected nations starting January 21, whereas the federal government undertakes a broad evaluate of vetting and screening procedures.

The order, first leaked by way of an inner memo reported by Fox Information, directs officers to disclaim functions underneath present immigration provisions till the evaluate ends.

The suspension impacts a number of visa classes and can proceed indefinitely till the safety and screening reassessment is concluded.

International locations impacted minimize throughout Africa, the Center East, Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Amongst them are Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.

This growth is tied to the “public cost” clause of U.S. immigration regulation, which allows the federal government to refuse visas to candidates thought of prone to turn into depending on taxpayer-funded help.

In November 2025, the State Division issued up to date steering to embassies globally mandating stricter enforcement of the rule. The expanded directive requires officers to consider age, well being, potential to talk English, monetary standing, job prospects and the potential for future reliance on medical or welfare assist.

Underneath the principles, candidates deemed doubtless to attract on public advantages will be refused entry.

Somalia is receiving explicit scrutiny after a federal investigation in Minnesota uncovered a widespread fraud scheme involving misuse of public funds. U.S. officers stated lots of the suspects have been Somali nationals or Somali-People, prompting more durable screening insurance policies linked to the nation.

Though Nigeria was not singled out within the memo, its inclusion means hundreds of potential college students, staff, vacationers and households could now face heightened uncertainty over U.S. journey.

The State Division has not indicated when the evaluate will probably be accomplished, nor whether or not exceptions will probably be accessible for humanitarian instances.

The step is prone to create contemporary challenges for travellers and will place added pressure on diplomatic relations and cross-border mobility involving the affected nations.