A US State Department Spokesman has confirmed that the United States will be pausing the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries with effect from the 21st January, 2026.
A total of 11 CARICOM nations are on the list.
The CARICOM countries on the list are Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica.
Immigrant visas refer to visas being issued for permanent residence in the United States.
According to a CNN report, the suspension comes after the State Department directed increased scrutiny under the “public charge” provision of immigration law meant to target those who the US Government believes will become a strain on public resources.
CNN quoted State Department Spokesman, Tommy Piggott as explaining that “The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people.
He confirmed that Immigrant visa processing from the 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.
A number of the countries impacted by the visa processing suspension were already included as part of the administration’s expanded travel ban list.
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