The State Department is pausing visa processing for applicants from 75 countries as it reviews how consular officers screen people deemed likely to become a public charge, according to an internal memo first reported by Fox News Digital.The directive instructs embassies and consulates to halt decisions on immigrant visas, meaning documents for those seeking to live and work in the U.S., beginning January 21, while the department reassesses its vetting procedures under existing immigration law.Countries affected by the pause include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen. The move follows stepped‑up scrutiny of public charge rules and comes amid broader changes to immigration policy under President Donald Trump.The Department of State confirmed to Newsweek that it was pausing visa issuance for 75 countries, but did not clarify the full list.Why It MattersSome of the countries on the list are already subject to visa bans or restrictions, but the rapid expansion of visa pauses to dozens of additional countries will have a major impact on foreign nationals hoping to live or work in the U.S.President Trump is known for his tough immigration policies, and he introduced similar restrictions during his first term, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic....State Department Visa Pause: Full List of CountriesThe State Department later released the list to Fox News Digital and confirmed the freeze to Newsweek and on its social media, but did not immediately release the list. The countries affected are:Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen. What To KnowThe State Department is responsible for vetting potential immigrants for visas outside the U.S. and processing them at consulates and embassies around the world. Officers at these posts have already been instructed to change the way they process applications over the past 12 months, including increased social media screening.Part of the vetting process, and other immigration applications within the U.S., includes working out whether an individual will become a public charge. In other words, whether the state will have to help pay for long-term healthcare, or provide any type of financial support.Fox reported that the State Department was reviewing the current rules around this issue and had opted to pause visas for the 75 countries while this assessment was carried out. The change did not apply to tourist or temporary business visas, the Associated Press reported. There has been concern for some time from Republicans that immigrants put too much pressure on federal and state-level benefits, leading some to claim that they are taking away funds from American citizens and fueling the campaign for mass deportations.Research has frequently debunked this notion, however. In February 2025, the libertarian Cato Institute published a paper showing that native-born Americans consumed, on an average per capita basis, more welfare and entitlement benefits than all immigrants.What People Are SayingState Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott told Fox News Digital: "The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people. Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits."Immigration attorney Ksenia Maiorova told Newsweek: "There has been no public-facing announcement yet by DOS, so it is unclear whether this information is reliable. We are advising our clients to wait until DOS publishes guidance, including the parameters of this policy and any possible exceptions."What Happens NextThe visa pause will take effect on January 21. More details on those affected are yet to be released.Update 1/14/26, 10:27 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.Update 1/14/26, 12:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with confirmation from the Department of State and comment from Ksenia Miaorova.Update 01/14/26, 1:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information. Update 1/14/26, 3:53 p.m. ET: This article was updated to clarify that the State Department's decision applies to immigrant visas only.The news cycle is loud. Algorithms push us to extremes. In the middle—where facts, ideas and progress live—there's a void. At Newsweek, we fill it with fearless, fair and fiercely independent journalism.Common ground isn't just possible—it's essential. Our readers reflect America's diversity, united by a desire for thoughtful, unbiased news. Independent ratings confirm our approach: NewsGuard gives us 100/100 for reliability, and AllSides places us firmly in the political center.In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. Ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. 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