US Suspends Immigrant Visas for Bangladesh, Russia, Brazil, and 72 Other Nations: Full List of 75 Countries
US Immigrant Visa Ban 2026, Visa Suspension List 75 Countries
WASHINGTON/DHAKA: In a seismic policy shift that has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities globally, the United States government has officially announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries. The sweeping directive, confirmed by State Department officials on Wednesday, targets nations ranging from major South Asian economies like Bangladesh and Pakistan to global powers like Russia and key Latin American players such as Brazil.
The suspension, which is set to take effect on January 21, 2026, represents one of the most significant restrictions on legal immigration in recent American history. According to internal memos cited by major international news agencies, the pause is not a temporary administrative glitch but a calculated move to “reassess vetting procedures” and enforce stricter adherence to “public charge” laws.
The Official Reason: “Ending Wealth Extraction”
The decision stems from a directive by the Department of State, currently led by Secretary Marco Rubio, to halt visa adjudications while the agency conducts a top-to-bottom review of screening protocols. The administrationโs primary justification rests on two pillars: national security and economic protectionism.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott delivered a blunt assessment of the policy’s intent during a press briefing in Washington.
“The administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” Pigott stated. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”
This rhetoric points to a rigid enforcement of the “Public Charge” rule, a provision in US immigration law that allows consular officers to deny visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on government assistance (such as Medicaid, food stamps, or housing subsidies) for subsistence. While the rule has existed for decades, thi1s blanket suspension suggests the administration believes citizens from these 75 specific nations pose a statistically higher risk of becoming public burdens.
Deep Impact on Bangladeshi Families
For Bangladesh, the news is catastrophic. The US Embassy in Dhaka has long been one of the busiest consular posts in the world for family-based immigration. Thousands of Bangladeshi-Americans have spent yearsโsometimes decadesโwaiting for the opportunity to bring their siblings (F4 visa category), married children (F3 category), or parents (IR-5 category) to the United States.
The “Ahmed” Family’s Plight
Consider the situation of Rafiq Ahmed (a pseudonym), a retired schoolteacher in Sylhet. His brother, a US citizen living in Michigan, filed a petition for him in 2011. After a 15-year wait, Rafiqโs “priority date” finally became current last month. He paid the fees, completed his medical exam, and was awaiting his interview letter.
“We sold our ancestral land to pay for the processing fees,” Rafiq told this correspondent. “Now we hear the door is locked indefinitely. It feels like a cruel joke. My brother is a taxpayer in America; why am I being punished?”
Immigration attorneys in Dhaka warn that this suspension will create a massive backlog. Even if the ban is lifted in a few months, the administrative logjam could delay scheduled interviews by another year or two.
The Full List: 75 Countries Affected
The list of affected nations is extensive, covering nearly 40% of the world’s countries. It includes a heavy concentration of nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, but also includes surprising additions in the Americas.
Below is the complete list of 75 countries subject to the suspension:
South & Central Asia
This region is heavily impacted, with almost all of India’s neighbors included.
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Bhutan
- Nepal
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Uzbekistan
- Tajikistan (Likely included in final memo)
Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
Countries here face the double scrutiny of “security risk” and “public charge” concerns.
10. Iran
11. Iraq
12. Syria
13. Yemen
14. Lebanon
15. Jordan
16. Kuwait
17. Egypt
18. Libya
19. Morocco
20. Tunisia
21. Algeria
Europe & Eurasia
The inclusion of Russia signals a geopolitical dimension to the ban, likely tied to strained diplomatic relations.
22. Russia
23. Belarus
24. Armenia
25. Azerbaijan
26. Georgia
27. Moldova
28. Kosovo
29. Bosnia and Herzegovina
30. Montenegro
31. North Macedonia
32. Albania
The Americas & Caribbean
The inclusion of Brazil and several Caribbean nations suggests a crackdown on migration corridors often used to reach the southern US border.
33. Brazil
34. Colombia
35. Uruguay
36. Haiti
37. Cuba
38. Jamaica
39. Guatemala
40. Belize
41. Nicaragua
42. Barbados
43. Bahamas
44. Grenada
45. Dominica
46. Antigua and Barbuda
47. Saint Kitts and Nevis
48. Saint Lucia
49. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Sub-Saharan Africa
Africa is the most severely affected continent, with major economic hubs like Nigeria facing the ban.
50. Nigeria
51. Somalia
52. Sudan
53. South Sudan
54. Ethiopia
55. Eritrea
56. Ghana
57. Gambia
58. Senegal
59. Sierra Leone
60. Liberia
61. Cameroon
62. Republic of the Congo
63. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
64. Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
65. Togo
66. Tanzania
67. Uganda
68. Rwanda
69. Guinea
70. Cape Verde
Asia Pacific
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Fiji
Analysis: Immigrant vs. Non-Immigrant Visas
It is crucial for applicants to understand the distinction in this order. The suspension currently applies specifically to Immigrant Visas (IV).
- Immigrant Visas (Suspended): These are for individuals intending to live permanently in the US. This includes:
- IR1/CR1 (Spouse of a US Citizen)
- IR5 (Parent of a US Citizen)
- F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4 (Family Preference Categories)
- E1, E2, E3 (Employment-Based Green Cards processed abroad)
- Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery winners.
- Non-Immigrant Visas (Technically Open): Visas for temporary travel are reportedly not part of this blanket suspension, though scrutiny will increase.
- B1/B2 (Tourism and Business)
- F1 (Student Visas)
- J1 (Exchange Visitors)
However, legal experts warn that the line is blurring. If a consular officer suspects a tourist visa applicant might try to overstay and become a public charge, they have the discretion to deny the visa under the same Section 212(f) authority used for the immigrant ban.
Legal & Expert Perspectives
The sudden nature of this announcement has mobilized civil rights groups in the US. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and various immigration advocacy groups are expected to file lawsuits challenging the order, arguing that it is discriminatory and bypasses the legislative process.
Barrister Sarah Malik, a New York-based immigration attorney, advises caution.
“This is an executive action relying on broad presidential powers to control borders,” Malik explains. “While we expect legal challenges, these cases take time. The ‘Public Charge’ argument is a strong legal shield for the administration. It is harder to strike down than a religious ban because it is framed as an economic protection measure.”
What Should Applicants Do?
If you or your family members are in the application pipeline, here is a step-by-step guide:
- Do Not Withdraw: Under no circumstances should you withdraw your application from the National Visa Center (NVC). If you withdraw, you lose your place in the line, which could set you back years.
- Monitor CEAC Status: Keep checking your status on the CEAC website. If you see “Refused” or “Administrative Processing” after January 21, it is likely a result of this pause.
- Strengthen Financials: Since the ban is based on “Public Charge” fears, ensure your sponsor in the US has impeccable financial records. Tax returns (IRS Form 1040) showing income well above the poverty line will be your strongest defense when processing resumes.
- Avoid Scams: Desperation breeds fraud. “Visa agents” in places like Dhaka, Karachi, or Lagos may promise to bypass the ban for a fee. This is impossible. No local agent can override a US State Department order.
Conclusion: A Winter of Uncertainty
As January 21 approaches, the mood in immigrant communities is one of apprehension. The dream of American life, once agonizingly close for many, has been deferred yet again. Whether this “pause” lasts for months or transforms into a long-term policy remains to be seen. For now, 75 nations wait, watch, and hope for a thaw in relations.
