U.S. Halts Immigrant Visa Processing for Nigeria, Ghana and 73 Other Countries
The United States government has announced a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, and 73 other countries, as part of a broad review of its immigration screening procedures.
The pause affects immigrant visas linked to permanent residency, including family-based and employment-based categories. According to U.S. authorities, the decision is aimed at reassessing eligibility standards to ensure applicants meet financial, health, and self-sufficiency requirements under existing immigration laws.
Officials explained that the review focuses on determining whether prospective immigrants are likely to depend excessively on public assistance after arriving in the United States. As a result, consular offices have been directed to temporarily halt the processing of affected immigrant visa applications until the review is concluded.
The suspension cuts across countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, with Nigeria and Ghana among those listed. However, U.S. authorities clarified that non-immigrant visas, such as tourist, student, and business visas, are not affected and will continue to be processed as usual.
The U.S. government noted that the measure is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen immigration controls while maintaining lawful migration pathways. Applicants impacted by the pause have been advised to follow updates from U.S. embassies and consulates for further guidance on when processing may resume.
