U.S. Halts Immigrant-Visa Processing for 75 Countries, Including Brazil

Overview

• Processing stops on January 21 and will continue for an unspecified period while procedures are reassessed.
• The action applies only to immigrant categories such as family- and employer-sponsored visas, with tourist, business and student visas unaffected.
• Consulates will keep accepting applications and conducting interviews, but no immigrant visas will be issued to affected nationals during the pause.
• Previously issued immigrant visas are not being revoked, and dual nationals may apply with a valid passport from an unaffected country.
• An internal memo reported by Fox News described potential risk factors under review, including age, health conditions such as obesity, English proficiency and prior public-benefit use, with affected countries including Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen.