Overview
- The pause applies only to immigrant visas and will remain in place indefinitely while procedures are reviewed.
- Tourist, student, and other nonimmigrant visas are not covered, so routine World Cup travel using temporary visas is not directly affected.
- Officials have not released the full list of countries, though media-circulated lists name Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Somalia, Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan among those affected.
- Internal guidance reported by U.S. outlets instructs consular officers to apply stricter screening based on factors such as age, health, English proficiency, and finances, with limited exceptions.
- The move extends a broader tightening of immigration policy under President Trump and has created immediate uncertainty for applicants and consular operations.