January 14, 2026 l By Stephen — Dalena Reporters
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A. — The United States government announced on Wednesday that it will suspend visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, a sweeping administrative measure set to take effect January 21, 2026, according to official reporting in Dalena Reporters citing U.S. media outlets. The decision, disclosed in a U.S. State Department memo, marks a significant shift in America’s immigration policy and reflects broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten entry protocols amid ongoing debates over national security and border control.
Under the directive, U.S. embassies and consulates will pause the adjudication of visa applications from nationals of 75 nations until further notice, requiring consular officers to refuse visa issuance under current legal authorities while procedures are reviewed. Among the affected countries are Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand, according to reports.
Officials have not yet defined how long the processing freeze will remain in place, and the State Department had not publicly commented at the time of the initial report. However, internal guidelines issued to diplomatic posts instruct visa officers to apply the suspension broadly and without exception until reassessment efforts are completed.
The move comes amid the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to tighten immigration and border policies, framed domestically as essential to safeguarding public safety and maintaining rigorous oversight of foreign entrants. Sources familiar with the internal discussions say the visa pause is part of a deeper review of consular procedures and national security vetting protocols that could lead to more stringent future requirements for foreign travellers seeking entry to the United States.
Critics of the policy have questioned both its legal basis and its potential diplomatic repercussions, noting that sweeping suspensions can affect student exchanges, business travel and family reunification for millions of individuals worldwide. In particular, representatives from several affected countries have expressed concern that the suspension could disrupt international cooperation and strain bilateral relations with Washington if prolonged.
The suspension is expected to take effect just days before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, a traditionally busy period for travel to the U.S., with implications for both travellers and U.S. consular operations. The full impact of the policy remains uncertain as further details emerge and as affected nations and advocacy groups weigh responses to the sweeping administrative action.