The State Department memo directs consular officers to assess applicants’ likelihood of becoming a public charge, considering factors like age, health, English language ability, financial resources, and need for long-term medical care. Exemptions will be limited, granted only to applicants meeting public charge requirements after further review.
Affected countries include Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Thailand, and Yemen, though the full list isn’t officially released. Applicants are advised to monitor (link unavailable) for updates. This pause follows a January 1 presidential proclamation suspending visa issuance for 39 countries over national security concerns.