January 21 marks a critical cutoff as visa processing ends for 75 nations. The Trump administration has ordered an indefinite suspension of immigrant visas for these countries. The move is based on the “public charge” rule and aims to reduce the number of immigrants who might rely on public benefits.
The cutoff is enforced by halting the printing of visas. Consular officers are instructed to refuse any case that has not resulted in a printed visa by this date. This abrupt end to processing leaves many applicants stranded.
The affected countries span the globe, affecting diverse populations. The list includes nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The policy is a clear indication of the administration’s restrictive approach to immigration.
Exceptions are limited to dual nationals of non-listed countries and those serving a national interest. For most, the January 21 cutoff is the end of the line.
The countries facing this cutoff are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
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