The US State Department is temporarily pausing the processing of new immigrant visas for 75 countries, including several Caribbean nations, in an effort to tighten screening of applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits. Photo: immihelp.com

The suspension comes after the State Department last year directed increased scrutiny under the 'public charge' provision of immigration law meant to target those who the Donald J. Trump administration believes will become a strain on public resources. Photo: tgmradio.com

It does not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas, temporary tourist or business visas.

'Public charge'

The pause, set to begin January 21, 2026, will continue indefinitely as the department reassesses its procedures for vetting visa applicants. The guidance instructs consular officers to deny visas to individuals judged likely to become a “public charge,” considering factors such as age, health, finances, English proficiency, and potential long-term medical needs. Those who have previously received government assistance or institutional care may also be denied.

The suspension applies to immigrant visas, such as those for employment or to join family in the US. The pause does not apply to non-immigrant visas like student and tourist visas, and as such would not apply for those seeking to travel to the World Cup in the US this summer.

The suspension comes after the State Department last year directed increased scrutiny under the “public charge” provision of immigration law meant to target those who the Trump administration believes will become a strain on public resources.

“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement to Fox News.

Caribbean countries affected by the pause include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Exceptions to the pause will be rare and granted only after applicants pass the public charge assessment.

Full list

The list of affected countries also spans regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, highlighting the global scope of the policy, but the inclusion of multiple Caribbean nations underscores the potential impact on migration from the region.

The full list of countries comprises of: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.