Visas US halts visa processing for 75 countries while easing rules for religious workers State Department order spans nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and eastern Europe iStock.com/bedo Image John van der Luit-Drummond Editor-in-Chief Thursday 15 January 2026 In a major escalation of its immigration policy, the Trump administration has suspended visa processing for nationals of 75 countries effective 21 January 2026. Get AccessContinue reading Global Mobility LawyerAlready have access? Login now Email Enter your email address. Password Enter the password that accompanies your email address. Reset your passwordLog in Need access? Find out how to enjoy unlimited accessGet access You might also like... Residency Chronic conditions could jeopardise US visa eligibility under new guidance Politics Trump issues new travel ban, lashes out at Harvard Visas Late-2025 consular policy shifts create 2026 visa processing bottlenecks Politics Shorter EAD validity, and visa processing pauses trigger employer uncertainty