US Clarifies Visa Freeze

Immigrant visa suspension for 75 countries won’t affect tourists, students or World Cup travel

January 17, 2026: The Trump administration has sought to ease concerns after announcing an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, effective January 21. US officials clarified that the move applies only to people seeking permanent residency for settlement and work in the United States. The State Department said the decision is part of tighter immigration controls aimed at preventing misuse of the system and is not a blanket ban across all visa categories.

Officials stressed that non-immigrant visas — including those for tourism, education, temporary employment, sports, and family visits — remain unaffected. Dual nationals holding passports from non-listed countries will also not be impacted. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the policy targets abuse of the immigration system and is limited strictly to immigrant visas, offering relief to millions of travelers and temporary workers worldwide.

The announcement had triggered anxiety among football fans ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, as 15 participating countries were initially listed under the suspension. Authorities later confirmed that fans, players, and officials can still travel on non-immigrant visas. Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Islamabad said immigrant visa processing for Pakistan would resume only after enhanced vetting, reiterating that the pause applies solely to immigrant visas and not to tourists, students, athletes, or skilled workers.