The United States has announced that it will temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, and others. This suspension, which will take effect on January 21, 2026, comes as the U.S. State Department conducts a comprehensive review of its visa screening procedures under the “public charge” rules.
The “public charge” rule, a longstanding policy, allows U.S. authorities to assess whether visa applicants may become dependent on public welfare programs. Under the new guidance, the U.S. will reassess its criteria for immigrant visa applications, ensuring that those seeking to enter the country will not rely heavily on taxpayer-funded assistance. A statement from the U.S. State Department explains that the decision aims to protect the nation’s public resources and ensure that immigrants are self-sufficient.
The visa processing suspension will affect nationals from 75 countries worldwide, including high-profile nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Russia, and Iran. This sweeping measure affects regions across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. While the impact is significant for potential immigrants, the suspension does not extend to non-immigrant visas like those for students, tourists, or business travelers.
For many people in these countries, the halt on immigrant visas represents a significant disruption in their plans to move to the U.S. However, the U.S. government maintains that the pause is a temporary measure while officials reassess immigration procedures to ensure the long-term integrity of the process.
The “public charge” rule has been a part of U.S. immigration law for decades. It allows U.S. immigration officials to evaluate visa applicants based on their likelihood of needing public assistance, such as food stamps, welfare benefits, or Medicaid, in the future. The U.S. government can deny immigrant visas to individuals who are deemed likely to become a “public charge” or overly reliant on the country’s welfare system.
Under the new pause, the U.S. State Department will scrutinize factors such as an applicant’s age, health, financial status, and English language proficiency. The move follows a series of concerns raised in the U.S. over welfare misuse, particularly following a high-profile fraud investigation in Minnesota, where many of the accused were Somali or Somali-American nationals.
For Ghana, the timing of this decision is notable. Despite the visa pause, Ghana’s relationship with the U.S. remains robust, especially in trade and economic partnerships. Just recently, the U.S. extended Ghana’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional three years, cementing the country’s role as an important trade and investment partner in West Africa.
Similarly, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is among the nations most affected by the visa processing pause. Although the temporary suspension may create uncertainty for some prospective immigrants, Nigeria’s strong ties with the U.S. in sectors like technology, education, and business ensure that the long-term impact on bilateral relations remains to be seen.
The U.S. State Department has emphasized that the visa processing pause is part of a broader effort to reassess immigration and welfare policies.
