U.S. to Temporarily Halt Immigrant Visa Processing for Nationals of 75 Countries, Including Ghana and Nigeria
The United States has announced a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Russia, and Iran. The pause is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026, as the U.S. State Department undertakes a comprehensive review of its visa screening procedures under the long-standing “public charge” rules.
According to the State Department, the decision is intended to reassess how immigrant visa applicants are evaluated to ensure that those admitted into the U.S. are unlikely to become dependent on taxpayer-funded public assistance. The review will focus on strengthening safeguards around the use of public resources and promoting immigrant self-sufficiency.
The “public charge” rule allows U.S. authorities to assess whether a prospective immigrant is likely to rely on welfare benefits such as food assistance, cash aid, or Medicaid. Under the new guidance, officials will more closely scrutinize factors including an applicant’s age, health, financial capacity, education, and English language proficiency.
The suspension affects immigrant visas only and does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those issued for tourism, business, or study. While the State Department acknowledged that the move may disrupt plans for many prospective immigrants, it stressed that the measure is temporary and aimed at preserving the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
The policy review follows heightened concerns in the U.S. over welfare misuse, including a high-profile fraud case in Minnesota that involved individuals of Somali or Somali-American background.
For Ghana, the announcement comes amid otherwise strong bilateral relations with the United States. Recently, the U.S. extended Ghana’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional three years, underscoring continued cooperation in trade and investment.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is also among the countries affected. Despite the potential uncertainty for prospective immigrants, U.S.–Nigeria relations remain robust, particularly in technology, education, and business.
The U.S. State Department emphasized that the visa processing pause forms part of a broader reassessment of immigration and welfare policies and reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent, and sustainable immigration system.
