Immigrant Visa Applications on Hold as US Targets 75 Countries, Including Jamaica

The United States is set to suspend immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, a move that will directly affect Jamaicans seeking permanent residence in the US. According to information released, the affected countries include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The suspension, which is expected to take effect later this month, applies specifically to immigrant visas, including family-based and employment-based green card applications. Non-immigrant visas, such as tourist, business, and student visas, are not included in the pause.

For Jamaica, the decision means that citizens hoping to migrate permanently to the United States will face delays and uncertainty, as applications will not be processed until the suspension is lifted. US officials have said the move forms part of a broader review of immigration screening procedures, particularly those linked to public assistance considerations.

The policy will remain in effect until further notice, with no timeline yet provided for when normal immigrant visa processing will resume.