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The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Pakistan. The announcement dropped on the same day Pakistan’s top military and civilian leadership met with the team behind World Liberty Financial (WLF), delivering a stinging diplomatic rebuke.
The “Public Charge” Crackdown
Starting January 21, 2026, the US State Department will pause immigrant visa processing for nationals from a sweeping list of nations. The administration cites a risk of these applicants becoming a “public charge”.
According to a State Department cable, officials believe applicants from these countries may rely on government benefits. Consequently, they aim to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who might “extract wealth from the American people”. The freeze affects nearly half of all legal immigrants to the US, roughly 315,000 people annually.
For Pakistanis, the timing is brutal. Consular officers are now directed to refuse any applicants whose visas are “print-authorised” but not yet printed. If a visa hasn’t left the consular section, it will be revoked immediately.
A Diplomatic Snub? Right After WLF Talks
The freeze came right after high-profile engagements in Islamabad with Trump’s circle regarding the crypto project World Liberty Financial (WLF).
Many observers hoped these moves and the WLF talks, essentially aligning with Trump’s business interests, would secure favourable standing. Instead, the administration moved forward with its crackdown hours later. Michael Kugelman of the South Asia Institute noted that:
The resurgence in Pakistan’s ties with the US apparently didn’t shield it from this (freeze).
Pakistan is among 75 countries reportedly hit with an indefinite visa processing freeze by the Trump administration.
The resurgence in Pakistan’s ties with the US apparently didn’t shield it from this.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal are also on the list.— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) January 14, 2026
Reaction on social media has been fierce. Critics argue that attempts to appease the administration, ranging from “embracing crypto” to auctioning natural resources, have failed spectacularly. One commentator described the situation as being “snubbed like a master snubs a servant”, while others echoed the harsh reality that:
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Business Travel Remains Open
There is one critical distinction for the tech and business community. The suspension strictly targets immigrant visas (those seeking permanent moves).
The ban does not impact non-immigrant visas. Visitor, tourist, and business visas remain valid. The State Department clarified this exception, likely keeping doors open for corporate mobility ahead of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
However, for talent acquisition and long-term migration, the pipeline is dead. Trump’s administration has already revoked over 100,000 visas since taking office in January, proving that legal immigration channels are narrowing regardless of diplomatic gestures.
Full List of Affected Regions:
The 75-nation list spans the globe, including mostly 3rd-world countries, as well as some major hubs. Here is the full list:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- The Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- North Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
