The United States State Department has temporarily suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Uzbekistan, Fox News reported, citing an internal document.
According to the document, consular officers worldwide have been instructed to refuse immigrant visas under current law. The suspension will take effect on January 21 and remain in place until the State Department revises its procedures for reviewing and evaluating visa applications. No specific date has been set for when the new criteria will be implemented.
The restriction applies only to immigrant visas. Visa applications will continue to be accepted, and existing immigrant visas will not be canceled. Tourist visas will continue to be issued as before.
The countries affected by the suspension include: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Uganda, Yemen, and others.
Fox News reported that the State Department’s recent focus has been on Somali nationals following a major fraud case in Minnesota. The investigation uncovered abuses of state-funded social benefits, resulting in charges against Somali nationals and U.S. citizens of Somali origin.
In November 2025, the State Department had already introduced stricter visa checks, considering applicants’ health, age, English proficiency, and financial situation. The procedure also allowed for the rejection of applications from elderly individuals, those who are overweight, or applicants who previously received state benefits.
State Department spokesman Thomas "Tommy" Pigott shared that the measures are aimed at denying entry to immigrants who “pose a social burden on the country.”
Earlier, the U.S. introduced a visa bond requirement of $5,000–$15,000 for citizens of 38 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. For Tajik citizens, the rule takes effect on January 21, while it has already applied to 15 other countries since January 1, 2026. Eligible B1/B2 visa applicants may need to post a bond depending on their visa interview and overstay risk. The measure is part of a pilot program under U.S. immigration law.
