U.S. suspends visa processing for Brazil and 74 other countries
The State Department will halt immigration visa processing for 75 nations starting January 21, citing concerns about applicants becoming public charges.
January 14, 2026
The United States has suspended visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil, according to a State Department memorandum obtained by Fox News Digital and confirmed by the White House and the State Department.
The suspension will take effect January 21 and remain in place indefinitely. According to Fox News, the memorandum directs consular officials to deny immigration visas under current law while the State Department reevaluates screening and verification procedures for visa applicants.
The stated objective is to restrict entry of applicants deemed "prone to becoming a public charge," according to reporting by Fox News.
Among the 75 countries affected are Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen, according to Fox News. The complete list of all 75 nations has not been publicly disclosed.
The State Department confirmed to Folha de S.Paulo that it is "pausing the immigration visa process for 75 countries" but did not specify whether restrictions apply differently to specific visa categories.
Brazil's Foreign Ministry, or Itamaraty, has not been officially informed of the measure, according to reporting. Members of the Brazilian diplomatic corps are attempting to understand the practical implications of the decision and whether the State Department will apply stricter analysis to visa applications.
The memorandum was not made public by the State Department. Fox News reported having obtained access to the document, which guides consular staff on denying visas while the department reviews its procedures.