US Suspends Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

The United States has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, starting January 21, as part of a renewed immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration. The decision, confirmed by the US State Department, has triggered widespread debate due to the unexpected inclusion of several economically stable and friendly nations.

Scope and Timing of the Visa Suspension

The suspension applies only to immigrant visas, including family-based and employment-based permanent residency pathways. Non-immigrant visas such as tourist, student, and business visas remain unaffected. According to officials, the pause will continue until a comprehensive reassessment of screening and eligibility standards is completed. The move follows earlier directives asking US diplomats to prioritise financial self-sufficiency among visa applicants.

Rationale Cited by the US Administration

The State Department has justified the suspension by citing concerns over “public charge” risks. Under US immigration law, applicants can be denied visas if deemed likely to become dependent on government welfare. Internal policy reviews flagged higher historical usage of public benefits among immigrant groups from the listed countries. Officials argue the measure is aimed at reducing financial strain on federal and state welfare systems.

Why Thailand, Bhutan, and Kuwait Raised Questions

The inclusion of countries such as Thailand, Bhutan, Kuwait, Brazil, and Uruguay has surprised analysts. These nations are generally viewed as politically stable, economically viable, or close US partners. Thailand has formally sought clarification from US diplomats, while commentators have questioned the data thresholds used. Bhutan’s case has been linked to past refugee inflows of ethnic Nepalis, while Kuwait’s inclusion appears tied to welfare usage data despite its high per-capita income.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• The suspension affects immigrant visas only, not tourist or student visas.
• The policy is linked to the US “public charge” rule in immigration law.
• India is excluded due to low welfare dependency among its migrants.
• The list includes countries from South Asia, Africa, the Balkans, and Latin America.

Implications and India’s Exclusion

India’s exclusion has been attributed to strong documentation standards, high-skilled migration patterns, and minimal reliance on public benefits among Indian immigrants. Experts note that India remains a major source of skilled workers under programmes like the H-1B visa. The suspension is expected to temporarily reshape global immigration flows to the US while intensifying diplomatic engagement with affected nations.