The United States has announced a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, among them Ghana and Nigeria, as it undertakes a review of visa screening procedures under its longstanding “public charge” regulations.
According to the U.S. State Department, the pause will take effect on 21 January and remain in place indefinitely while consular officers reassess how applicants are evaluated to determine whether they might become reliant on U.S. public welfare programmes.
Countries affected by the decision include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand and Yemen, among others spanning Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.
The “public charge” provision enables U.S. authorities to refuse immigrant visas based on factors such as an applicant’s age, health, financial standing, English proficiency, family support, and the likelihood of requiring long-term care or public assistance.
A spokesperson for the State Department, Tommy Piggott, said the move is intended to protect U.S. public resources.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” Piggott told Fox News.
“Immigration 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.”
The heightened scrutiny follows a major fraud investigation in the U.S. state of Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded benefit programmes, in which many of the individuals implicated were reportedly Somali or Somali-American.
Despite the visa pause, analysts note that the decision does not affect non-immigrant visas such as student, tourist, or business visas, nor does it change existing trade and diplomatic relations.
For Ghana, the development comes at a time when bilateral economic ties with the United States remain strong. Recently, Washington extended Ghana’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by three years, reaffirming Ghana’s importance as a trusted trade and investment partner.
AGOA allows Ghanaian businesses duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products, supporting exports, job creation, and private sector growth.
While the visa pause may raise concerns for Ghanaians seeking permanent residency in the U.S., officials stress that it is a procedural review rather than a country-specific ban, and could be lifted once new screening measures are finalised.
Full List of Countries Affected Includes:
Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and others.
U.S. officials say further guidance will be issued to embassies and consulates worldwide as the review process continues.
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