The United States has announced a major halt to immigrant visa processing for nationals of dozens of countries, including several in Africa, a move that is already raising concern across the continent. The US visa pause affecting African countries was confirmed in a statement released by the State Department on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
According to the department, the decision targets countries whose migrants take public welfare at what it described as “unacceptable rates.” It said the pause will remain in place until the US can ensure that new immigrants “will not extract wealth from the American people.”
African countries named in the list include Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Liberia, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Togo, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others.
In a follow-up post, the State Department said the policy applies to countries “whose immigrants often become public charges upon arrival.” It added that the Trump administration will “always put America First.”
The move follows a broader shift in US immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s second term, which began in 2025. Since returning to office, the administration has expanded visa restrictions, tightened public charge rules, and increased scrutiny of immigrant welfare use. Officials argue these measures protect US taxpayers and reduce strain on public systems.
Critics, however, say the policy unfairly targets developing countries and risks blocking legal migration pathways. For many Africans, the pause could delay family reunifications, disrupt work and study plans, and limit access to opportunities abroad. The State Department has not said how long the freeze will last. It also did not outline clear criteria for lifting the restrictions. For now, the US visa pause affecting African countries marks one of the most sweeping immigration actions affecting the continent in years.
