The U.S. State Department has temporarily paused immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Nepal, a department spokesperson confirmed to NepYork. ‘The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries,’ the spokesperson said, without providing additional details regarding the duration. The move is expected to affect thousands of applicants awaiting visa interviews and approvals in the affected nations. This suspension is scheduled to take effect on January 21.
The decision follows internal reviews aimed at tightening the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws—particularly provisions under the “public charge” rule, which bars applicants deemed likely to depend on government assistance after arriving in the United States.
Until the review of screening and evaluation standards is complete, consular officers have been directed to exercise existing legal authority to deny visas on these grounds. The suspension will remain in place indefinitely and will be lifted only after the guidelines are fully reviewed.
In Asia and the Middle East, the pause affects applicants from Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Across Africa, the suspension includes Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Uganda.
Within Europe and Central Asia, nations such as Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Russia are listed.
In the Americas and the Caribbean, the policy impacts Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Uruguay. The list also extends to the Pacific region, specifically affecting applicants from Fiji.
The updated screening policy, originally outlined in the November 2025 guidance, requires consular officers to carefully assess applicants’ age, health conditions, financial stability, English proficiency, and the likelihood of their requiring long-term medical or government support. Analysts expect the review to disproportionately affect elderly applicants, those with serious health challenges, or individuals with prior reliance on social benefits.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
