US halts visa processing for Bangladesh, Pakistan and 73 other nations

The Trump administration has ordered an indefinite suspension of all visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, effective from January 21, 2026.

The move was revealed via an internal U.S. State Department memo first reported by Fox News and later confirmed by Reuters on Wednesday. The suspension is part of a broader "public charge" crackdown, targeting nations whose applicants are deemed a potential burden on the American welfare system.

From January 21, 2026. Indefinite; the State Department has not provided a timeline for resumption. The pause affects immigrant and non-immigrant visa adjudications. Affected countries include Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Thailand, and Egypt, among others.

Consular officers are instructed to refuse visas under existing laws while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated the administration aims to "end the abuse of America’s immigration system." The new guidance directs officers to weigh factors such as age, health (including being overweight), English proficiency, and financial status.

The decision follows a vow made by President Trump in November 2025 to "permanently pause" migration from "Third World Countries." That pledge came after a shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national that claimed the life of a National Guard member.