Why the US Has Put Bangladesh and Pakistan on Its Visa Freeze List?

January 17, 2026

The United States has quietly hit pause on immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, triggering anxiety across continents.

From South Asia to Africa and Latin America, thousands of families waiting to move permanently to the US are now stuck in limbo.

Among the affected nations are Bangladesh and Pakistan — two countries with long migration links to America. This move is not a travel ban, but it is a major reset of who gets to settle in the US and who must wait.

So, what exactly has changed, why did Washington do this, and why are Bangladesh and Pakistan on that list?

What Has the US Announced?

Starting January 21, 2026, the US government has suspended processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. Immigrant visas are meant for people seeking permanent residency, commonly known as green cards.

This impacts:

• Family-based immigration
• Employment-based green cards
• Diversity lottery visas

What it does not affect:

• Tourist visas
• Student visas
• Temporary work visas like H-1B

US embassies may still accept applications and even conduct interviews, but no immigrant visas will be approved or issued until the freeze is lifted.

Which Countries Are on the List?

The US has not issued one official public document naming all 75 countries, but reporting by major international media and diplomatic sources confirms a wide regional spread.

South Asia:
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Middle East:
Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen

Africa:
Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana

Latin America & Caribbean:
Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Venezuela, Nicaragua

Eastern Europe & Central Asia:
Belarus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

Other reported countries:
Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad

This is not a country-specific punishment, but a broad policy applied to regions with high immigration volumes or economic stress indicators.

What Is the Official Reason Behind the Freeze?

The US government says the decision is based on the “public charge” rule. Under this rule, US officials can deny immigrant visas if they believe an applicant is likely to depend on government welfare after arriving in America.

Consular officers are now instructed to more strictly evaluate:

• Financial stability
• Education and skills
• Health and age
• Likelihood of needing public assistance

Until this review is completed and standards are updated, immigrant visa approvals remain frozen.

Why Are Bangladesh and Pakistan Included?

There is no diplomatic dispute or security allegation specifically targeting Bangladesh or Pakistan. Their inclusion is linked to migration trends and economic assessments, not politics.

Two major factors stand out:

High Migration Numbers:    
Pakistan has been among the top source countries for US immigrant visas in recent years, with thousands receiving green cards annually.

Rising Demand:
Bangladesh recorded a sharp increase in immigrant visa applications in 2025, signaling growing interest in permanent migration to the US.

Because of this scale, both countries fall under the broader US review of nations where applicants are statistically considered at higher risk under the public-charge framework.

What Does This Mean for Applicants Right Now?

For citizens of Bangladesh and Pakistan:

• Green card applicants face indefinite delays
• Families waiting for reunification must wait longer
• Diversity lottery winners cannot proceed further

However:

• Students can still go to the US
• Tourists can still apply
• Temporary workers are unaffected

This means mobility is restricted only for permanent settlement, not for travel or education.

The Bigger Picture: US Immigration Policy

This freeze is part of a wider immigration tightening under the Trump administration. Since returning to office, the administration has:

• Cancelled over 100,000 visas
• Increased background and social media checks
• Re-emphasised economic self-sufficiency for immigrants

Critics argue that immigrants generally contribute more in taxes than they take in benefits, and say the policy unfairly targets developing nations. Supporters say it protects US taxpayers.

What Happens Next?  

There is no deadline for lifting the freeze. The US says the pause will continue until its internal review is completed.

Pakistan has described the move as temporary, while Bangladesh is closely monitoring developments through diplomatic channels.

For now, the message from Washington is clear: the door to permanent immigration is not shut — but it is firmly on pause.