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The United States has announced a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, as part of a broader review of its visa screening procedures under long-standing “public charge” regulations.
According to the U.S. State Department, the pause will take effect from January 21, 2026, and will remain in place indefinitely while consular officers reassess how immigrant visa applicants are evaluated. The review is aimed at determining whether applicants are likely to become overly dependent on U.S. public welfare systems.
Countries affected by the decision span Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, and include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, and Yemen, among others.
Under the “public charge” provision, U.S. authorities are permitted to deny immigrant visas based on factors such as an applicant’s age, health status, financial capacity, English proficiency, family support systems, and the likelihood of requiring long-term care or public assistance.
Speaking on the decision, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said the measure is intended to safeguard public resources. He noted that the department will rely on its existing authority to deny entry to individuals deemed likely to become a public charge on the United States.
The increased scrutiny follows a major fraud investigation in Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded benefit programmes, in which several individuals implicated were reportedly Somali or Somali-American.
Despite the pause, analysts stress that the decision does not affect non-immigrant visas, including student, tourist, or business visas. It also does not alter existing trade or diplomatic relations between the United States and affected countries.
For Ghana, the development comes amid strong bilateral economic ties with the United States. Recently, Washington extended Ghana’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by three years, reaffirming the country’s role as a key trade and investment partner. AGOA provides Ghanaian businesses with duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products, supporting exports, job creation, and private sector growth.
While the suspension may raise concerns for individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States, officials have emphasised that the move is a procedural review rather than a country-specific ban. The pause could be lifted once revised screening measures are finalised.
U.S. authorities have indicated that further guidance will be issued to embassies and consulates worldwide as the review process continues.
