The United States has temporarily halted visa processing for applicants from Nigeria, Russia and several other countries following an internal directive by the US Department of State to review and strengthen its immigration screening procedures.
The directive, effective from January 21, mandates US embassies and consulates to suspend visa processing for nationals of no fewer than 73 countries as officials undertake a comprehensive review of screening and vetting procedures.
According to the memo, first reported by Fox News, consular officers are instructed to apply existing legal provisions to deny visa applications while the review is ongoing.
The suspension applies to several visa categories and has no defined end date, as officials have not indicated when the reassessment will be concluded.
Countries affected by the measure cut across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Among them are Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil and Thailand.
US officials link the move to stricter enforcement of the “public charge” provision in immigration law, which permits visa denial for applicants deemed likely to depend on government assistance.
In November 2025, the State Department instructed diplomatic missions worldwide to apply tighter standards when evaluating such risks.
Under the updated guidance, consular officers are required to weigh additional factors, including applicants’ age, health condition, English language ability, financial resources, employment prospects and possible need for long-term medical care.
Somalia has drawn heightened scrutiny following a federal investigation in Minnesota that uncovered extensive fraud involving publicly funded welfare programmes.
Prosecutors said many of those implicated were Somali nationals or individuals of Somali descent, prompting increased attention to visa cases associated with the country.
Although Nigeria was not specifically cited in the memo, its inclusion places it among nations facing tougher entry requirements. This comes at a time when large numbers of Nigerians seek US visas for education, employment, tourism and family reunification.
However, the State Department has yet to clarify whether humanitarian exemptions will apply or indicate the duration of the suspension, leaving prospective travellers, students and families in a state of uncertainty.
Analysts caution that the move could significantly disrupt mobility, stall educational and professional plans, and further strain diplomatic relations between the United States and the affected countries
