U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visas for Citizens of 75 Countries, Including Bangladesh

The United States has announced the suspension of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy Dhaka.

In a verified Facebook post on Monday morning, the embassy said the U.S. Department of State has decided to suspend immigrant visa issuance for citizens of Bangladesh and 74 other countries. The policy will take effect from January 21, 2026. The measure targets countries whose immigrants receive higher rates of government assistance at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.

However, the embassy clarified that the suspension does not apply to visitor visas. Citizens of the affected countries can still apply for immigrant visas and attend their scheduled interviews. The State Department will continue processing visa interview appointment scheduling.

Besides Bangladesh, the other 74 countries on the list are:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

The embassy reiterated that individuals from these countries may still participate in the normal visa application process, but the issuance of immigrant visas will remain suspended under the new policy.