The US State Department has announced plans to pause visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria, over concerns that some immigrants are likely to depend on public welfare programs.

The pause, set to begin January 21, 2026, will remain in effect indefinitely while the department reassesses immigrant visa screening and vetting procedures. The measure will impact applicants from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including Nigeria, Somalia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Russia, Brazil, and Thailand.

A State Department memo, first reported by Fox News Digital, instructs US embassies and consular officers to enforce existing public charge laws. This includes denying visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public benefits, based on factors such as health, age, finances, English proficiency, prior use of government cash assistance, or institutionalization.

“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” said spokesperson Tommy Piggott.

The public charge provision, part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, has existed for decades but has been enforced inconsistently. In 2019, former President Donald Trump expanded its definition to cover a broader range of public benefits.

This new pause follows a November 2025 directive requiring consular officers to apply stricter screening rules, aiming to prevent the entry of foreign nationals likely to depend on US welfare programs.