The US Department of State has instructed consular officers to deny visas to citizens from 75 countries, effective 21/1. This directive comes as the department re-evaluates its visa application screening and verification process, according to a memo seen by Fox News. The measure aims to prevent foreign nationals at risk of becoming dependent on social welfare from entering the US.

While the full list of affected countries has not been entirely disclosed, it includes Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen. The suspension of visa processing for citizens of these countries will remain in effect until the US Department of State completes its review of the visa adjudication process.

This move is rooted in the "public charge" clause of US immigration law, which has existed for decades. Its enforcement, however, has varied across different administrations. In 11/2025, the US Department of State issued a directive to diplomatic missions worldwide, requiring consular officers to implement new, comprehensive screening regulations based on this clause.

Passengers at Miami International Airport in Florida, US in 8/2025. Photo: Reuters

Under these updated guidelines, consular officers must deny visas to applicants assessed as likely to become dependent on US welfare programs. This assessment considers various factors: health status, age, English proficiency, financial capacity, and even the risk of needing long-term medical care. For instance, elderly or overweight individuals may be denied visas, as can those who have received government cash assistance or were previously placed in institutional care facilities.

Tommy Piggott, a spokesperson for the Department of State, stated that the department "will use its long-standing authority to identify immigrants likely to become a public charge to the US and exploit the generosity of the American people."

Exemptions during this visa suspension will be "very limited." Authorities will only consider them after applicants pass the assessment criteria for public charge risk to the US. Somalia, for example, is currently under close US scrutiny following a large-scale fraud scandal in Minnesota, where prosecutors uncovered serious abuse of taxpayer-funded welfare programs. Many individuals linked to this welfare fraud scheme were Somali citizens or Somali-Americans.