List of African countries affected as US suspends immigrant visa processing

The United States has announced it will suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including 27 African countries.

• Business Insider Africa presents the list of African countries affected as the US suspends immigrant visa processing
• This measure aims to address concerns over national security, fraud prevention, and reducing welfare dependency among immigrating individuals.
• The indefinite suspension has provoked concerns from international communities, especially the affected countries, primarily in Africa.

The United States has announced it will suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, and Egypt, as part of its latest immigration crackdown.

The pause is set to take effect on January 21 and will continue indefinitely while the U.S. State Department reassesses screening and vetting procedures.

According to a State Department memo obtained by Fox News Digital, consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing law until the review is complete.

"Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits." State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement.

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Exceptions to the suspension will be rare and only granted after applicants successfully clear public charge evaluations. The list of affected countries spans multiple regions, reflecting the administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration controls amid concerns over security, fraud, and welfare dependency.

This move is part of a sweeping immigration policy under President Donald Trump that has included travel bans, heightened vetting, and stricter enforcement measures.

The indefinite nature of the pause has raised concerns among prospective migrants and foreign governments, particularly in Africa.

Below are the 27 African countries affected:

Algeria

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Cote d’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Egypt

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Liberia

Libya

Morocco

Nigeria

Republic of the Congo

Rwanda

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Sudan

Tanzania

Togo

Tunisia

Uganda

Yemen