Visa applications from Nigeria, Russia and at least 73 other countries will no longer be processed by United States embassies and consulates, as Washington moves to tighten immigration screening over concerns about potential dependence on public welfare.
The US Department of State has instructed consular officers to suspend visa processing for the affected countries from January 21, pending a comprehensive review of screening and vetting procedures. The directive was contained in an internal memo first reported by Fox News.
Under the order, consular officers are to rely on existing provisions of US immigration law to refuse applications while the reassessment is underway. The suspension cuts across multiple visa categories and will remain in effect indefinitely until the review is concluded.
Countries affected span Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. They include Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.
The policy shift is linked to the “public charge” rule, a long-standing aspect of US immigration law that permits authorities to deny visas to individuals deemed likely to rely on public assistance. In November 2025, the State Department issued fresh guidance to embassies worldwide, directing stricter enforcement of the rule.
The guidance expanded the criteria consular officers must assess, including applicants’ age, health status, English proficiency, financial resources, employment prospects and potential need for long-term medical care. Applicants judged at risk of becoming dependent on public benefits may be denied entry.
Somalia has drawn particular scrutiny following a major fraud investigation in Minnesota, where US prosecutors uncovered widespread abuse of taxpayer-funded welfare programmes. Federal officials said many of those implicated were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans, increasing scrutiny of visa applications linked to the country.
Although Nigeria was not specifically singled out in the memo, its inclusion places it among countries now facing tougher immigration controls. This comes at a time when large numbers of Nigerians apply annually for student, work, tourist and family-based visas to the United States.
The State Department has not indicated when the review will be completed or whether humanitarian exemptions will be granted. The move is expected to heighten uncertainty for prospective travellers, students and families, and could strain diplomatic and people-to-people relations with the affected countries.