WASHINGTON—The State Department will indefinitely pause immigrant visa processing for 75 countries as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to block low-income foreigners from immigrating to the U.S.
The pause takes effect starting Jan. 21, and will halt visa issuance to people looking to immigrate permanently, typically through marriage, family ties or work sponsorship. It doesn’t block people from obtaining tourist or temporary work visas.
The countries affected span the globe and include many in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Visa processing will now be paused for Russia, Thailand, Morocco, Colombia and Brazil, among others, according to a State Department official briefed on the plan.
