US Halts Immigrant Visas for Pakistan, 74 Other Nations

News Desk
Washington: Pakistani nationals seeking permanent residency in the United States face a new hurdle as the Trump administration moves to suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from Pakistan and 74 other countries from January 21.
The US State Department said the measure covers applicants from a wide range of countries across South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Balkans.
Alongside Pakistan, the South Asian countries affected include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay are among the Latin American nations included, while Bosnia and Albania are also on the list.
In a statement shared on social media, the State Department said immigrant visa processing would be paused for citizens of 75 countries whose migrants, according to the administration, use US welfare programmes at unacceptable rates.
The department said the suspension would remain in effect until the United States can ensure that new immigrants will not place an excessive financial burden on the American public.
The measure is specifically aimed at immigrant visas, which are issued to people seeking permanent residence in the United States. It does not apply to non-immigrant visas used by tourists, students and temporary workers.
Special visa categories, including those connected with the FIFA World Cup, are also not covered by the suspension.
The decision adds another layer to the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown since the president returned to office.
The State Department said last week that more than 100,000 visas had been revoked, while the Department of Homeland Security reported that more than 605,000 people had been deported. Authorities have also said an additional 2.5 million migrants left the United States voluntarily.
The latest move follows other restrictions introduced by the administration. In December, Trump expanded travel restrictions to 39 countries, while asylum processing was suspended and citizenship and green card applications were halted for nationals of countries already subject to restrictions.
Welfare claims face scrutiny
The administration’s justification for the immigrant visa pause, particularly its claims linking migrants to higher welfare use, has faced criticism from researchers.
A February 2025 study by the libertarian Cato Institute found that native-born Americans received more welfare and entitlement benefits per person than immigrants. According to the study, immigrants used 21 per cent fewer welfare and entitlement benefits per capita than native-born Americans in 2022.
Migration policy specialists have also warned that the consequences of the suspension could extend beyond people whose visa applications are directly affected.
They say restrictions on immigrant visas could complicate family reunification and have wider implications for labour markets, particularly for families and workers planning long-term relocation to the United States.
For Pakistani applicants, the distinction between immigrant and non-immigrant visas is particularly significant. While those seeking permanent residence will be affected by the pause, Pakistanis travelling to the US temporarily for tourism, education or employment under non-immigrant categories are not covered by this specific measure.
The latest policy also contrasts with some of Trump’s earlier statements on legal immigration. During his first presidential term, he acknowledged the contribution of legal immigrants, saying in a State of the Union address that immigrants “enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways,” while stressing that immigration should take place through legal channels.
The new suspension nevertheless signals a tougher approach to permanent immigration, with the administration linking future admissions more closely to its assessment of the economic impact of new immigrants on the United States.