The United States has announced a major change to its immigration system, confirming that it will pause immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries starting January 21, 2026. The move comes under President Donald Trump’s administration and is part of a wider push to tighten immigration rules across the country. This decision doesn’t affect short visits, but it does have serious implications for anyone hoping to move to the U.S. permanently for work or family reasons. Keep reading to find-out which countries have been affected and if this has any impact on the UAE.
Also read: Will Trump’s 10% Cap On Credit Card Interest Rates Affect UAE-Based Cards As Well?
What Is Being Paused?
The pause applies only to immigrant visas, which are visas used by people planning to live in the U.S. long term. These include visas for those joining family members, relocating for work, or applying for permanent residency.
If you’re applying for a tourist, student, or short-term business visa, those applications are still being processed. In fact, this distinction is especially important with major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics being hosted in the U.S., as visitors will still be able to travel.
However, for people already deep into the immigration process, the pause could mean long delays or outright refusals, even if a visa had already been approved but not issued yet.
Why The U.S. Is Doing This
According to the U.S. State Department, this pause is about reviewing immigration rules to make sure applicants moving to the country are financially self-sufficient. Officials say they want to prevent people from becoming what’s known as a “public charge,” meaning someone who may rely heavily on government assistance after arriving.
Embassies and consulates have been instructed to carry out stricter checks, looking closely at an applicant’s finances, work prospects, health, age, and overall ability to support themselves. While this rule has existed in U.S. immigration law for years, it’s now being applied much more firmly under the current administration.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The list of affected countries is broad and stretches across:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- BelarusBelize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- KuwaitKyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
Several of these countries were already facing stricter travel rules under previous U.S. policies, and this latest decision expands those limits even further. In total, 75 nations are now impacted by the immigrant visa processing pause.
A Bigger Immigration Crackdown
Since returning to office, President Trump has made immigration enforcement a central focus. While much of his campaign messaging targeted illegal immigration, critics say the administration’s policies have also made legal immigration more difficult.
This includes higher visa fees, stricter eligibility rules, and expanded screening processes. Immigration experts and rights groups argue that these changes affect families, skilled workers, and refugees who are trying to follow the legal path into the country.
Supporters of the policy, however, say it protects U.S. resources and ensures newcomers are prepared to support themselves.
How This Impacts The Residents Of UAE
For UAE residents, especially expats, this announcement raises understandable questions. The key takeaway is that travel to the U.S. from the UAE is still possible, as non-immigrant visas like tourist and student visas are not part of the pause. That said, U.S. visa applications from the UAE have already become more demanding, with most applicants now required to attend in-person interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai. This means longer wait times and more paperwork, even for short-term travel.
For anyone in the UAE hoping to move to the U.S. permanently, either for work or to join family, this pause could bring plans to a standstill until the review is completed. Stayed tuned to Gulf Buzz and we’ll give you all the latest updates as this story progresses.
