US Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and 72 Other Countries
State Department pauses immigrant visa applications from 75 countries as Washington reviews screening and welfare-related policies.
- The US has suspended immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.
- The move affects only immigrant visas and does not apply to tourist, business or event-related travel.
- US authorities say the suspension is temporary and aimed at reassessing immigration screening procedures.
The United States has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, in what officials describe as a temporary measure to reassess immigration procedures.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, marks the latest immigration-related action under President Donald Trump’s administration. According to the US State Department, the suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect tourist, business, or other non-immigrant visa categories.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the move is aimed at preventing abuse of the US immigration system. He explained that immigrant visa processing from the affected countries would be paused while authorities review procedures to ensure that applicants do not become dependent on public welfare and benefits.
“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” Pigott said, adding that the review would focus on strengthening screening mechanisms.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on X that the affected countries include Somalia, Russia and Iran, among others. She also shared a media report indicating that several countries with historically friendly relations with the United States—such as Brazil, Egypt and Thailand—are included in the suspension. The State Department has yet to officially publish a consolidated list.
The suspension comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to curb immigration. The State Department disclosed earlier this week that more than 100,000 visas have been revoked since President Trump’s return to office, marking a one-year record. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security reported that over 605,000 people have been deported, with an additional 2.5 million leaving voluntarily.
US officials stressed that the latest action will not affect visas for tourism, business travel or major international events, including this year’s football World Cup. However, the administration has indicated that all visa applicants will continue to undergo enhanced screening, including reviews of social media activity.
The suspension will remain in effect while US authorities complete their reassessment of immigrant visa processing procedures for the affected countries.
