The United States will suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for 75 countries starting on January 21. Fox News first reported that Russia was among the countries affected. The US State Department later confirmed the information to TASS, although no formal documents or complete country list had appeared on the department’s website at the time of publication.
Fox News initially reported a halt to “all visas,” but later clarified that the measure applies only to immigrant categories, meaning visas for people planning to relocate to the US and eventually obtain a green card. According to the broadcaster, the move is intended to keep out applicants whom US authorities may regard as a potential burden on the social welfare system.
Fox News says consular officers have been instructed to apply the public charge criterion more strictly. Applications will now be assessed on the basis of health, age, financial situation, English proficiency, and even body weight. The report also says that special scrutiny of Somalia is linked to a scandal in Minnesota involving alleged abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits programs.
US immigration attorney Angela Linard said the measure concerns cases in which a green card applicant may be viewed as a burden on American taxpayers, including because of serious health conditions and potentially high medical costs.
In November 2025, the State Department sent a cable to diplomatic missions worldwide instructing consular staff to apply new screening rules under the “public charge” provision of immigration law. The immigration company Migrator said the mechanism already existed, but its enforcement has now become tougher. According to Fox News, exemptions will be very limited.
The restrictions are not expected to affect nonimmigrant visas for temporary travel, including tourism, study, work, and transit. The same applies to the O-1 talent visa, which is classified as nonimmigrant. Staff at the Stolitsa Mira visa center said the criteria used to select the 75 countries remain unclear and advised against panic. In their view, a total halt to visa issuance for Russians would be illogical, while experts quoted by Ostorozhno, Novosti expect the pause to be temporary and to last no more than a month.