The U.S. State Department is set to pause immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Ghana, beginning January 21.
A move aimed at tightening enforcement of existing public charge rules. The freeze will remain in place indefinitely while the department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures.
According to a State Department memo first obtained by Fox News Digital, consular officers have been instructed to deny visas under current law if applicants are deemed likely to rely on public assistance after entering the United States. The review focuses on whether applicants may become a “public charge,” a designation used for individuals expected to depend primarily on government benefits.
“The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries in an effort to crack down on applicants deemed likely to become a public charge,” the memo states.
Countries affected by the pause include Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand, and Yemen, among others. The decision affects only immigrant visa applicants and does not specify an end date for the suspension.
Under the public charge rule, visa officers evaluate a range of factors when determining an applicant’s eligibility, including their health, financial resources, employment prospects, and past use of government assistance. Applicants who fail to meet the criteria may be refused visas during the reassessment period.
The memo directs consular officers to continue refusing visas “under existing law” while updated screening guidance is developed, signalling a stricter interpretation rather than the creation of new regulations.
The pause comes amid ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and national security, with the administration emphasising the need to ensure that new immigrants are financially self-sufficient. Until the reassessment is completed, thousands of visa applicants from the affected countries could face prolonged delays or outright denials.
