BREAKING: The United States has suspended foreign visa processing for applicants from Armenia and 74 other countries, according to a U.S. State Department spokesperson. The decision was first reported by Fox News, citing an internal State Department memorandum.
Under the directive, U.S. embassies have been instructed to refuse visa applications under existing law while the department conducts a reassessment of its visa procedures. No time frame has been provided for when processing may resume.
According to Fox News, the suspension will take effect on January 21. Countries affected by the freeze reportedly include Armenia, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand, among others.
The State Department spokesperson declined to provide further details regarding the scope or criteria of the suspension, and the full list of affected countries has not been officially released.
The move comes amid a broader immigration crackdown pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump since returning to office last January. In November, Trump publicly vowed to “permanently pause” migration from what he referred to as “Third World countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that resulted in the death of a National Guard member.
