US includes Nepal in list of 75 countries facing immigrant visa suspension from January 21

KATHMANDU: The United States has included Nepal in a list of 75 countries whose nationals will face a suspension of immigrant visa processing starting January 21, a move that is expected to significantly affect Nepali citizens seeking permanent residence in the US.

According to an official update from the US Department of State, immigrant visa issuance will be paused for nationals of countries assessed as being at “high risk” of reliance on public benefits in the United States. The decision follows a broader policy review initiated under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has reiterated that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and should not become a public charge on the US welfare system.

Nepal’s inclusion places it alongside several countries from South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. From South Asia, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have been listed. International media reports, including Reuters, note that most countries on the list are low- and middle-income economies.

What the US government says

The US Department of State has stated that the suspension is aimed at protecting American taxpayers and public resources. The ministry has said that immigrant visa processing will remain halted until it is ensured that new immigrants will not rely on government welfare or public assistance programs after entering the United States.

The policy is part of a wider tightening of immigration rules under President Trump’s second term. The administration has already cancelled more than 100,000 visas, detained over 600,000 individuals for deportation, and reports suggest that more than two million migrants have left the US voluntarily amid stricter enforcement.

Who will be affected from Nepal

The suspension applies specifically to immigrant visas, meaning visas intended for permanent residence in the United States. This will directly impact Nepali citizens applying under family-based immigrant categories, employment-based green cards, and the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery programme. With the new decision, DV lottery processing for Nepali applicants is also expected to be halted.

Nepalis seeking to reunite with immediate family members—such as parents, spouses, or children—who are already US citizens or permanent residents will be among the most affected. New immigrant visa applications for marriage-based permanent residence are also likely to face major obstacles during the suspension period.

Aspiring migrants who had been preparing documentation, interviews, or medical clearances for immigrant visas now face uncertainty, as no clear timeline has been provided for the resumption of processing.

What is not affected

The US government has clarified that non-immigrant visas—including tourist (B1/B2), student (F), and other temporary visas—are not covered by this suspension. However, Nepali nationals are already subject to stricter conditions for B1 and B2 visas.

Earlier, the US had required Nepali applicants for B1/B2 visas to place a financial bond ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000, depending on risk assessment. While tourist and business travel remains legally possible, these financial requirements make short-term travel to the US more difficult and expensive for many Nepalis.

Entry and exit restrictions for B1/B2 visa holders

Under the bond-based arrangement, Nepali citizens travelling on B1 and B2 visas are restricted to entering and exiting the US only through designated airports. These include Boston Logan, John F. Kennedy (New York), Washington Dulles, Newark Liberty, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, and Los Angeles International Airport.

In addition, Nepali travellers may also enter or exit the US via Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Canada. Travel through other ports of entry is not permitted for B1/B2 visa holders under this arrangement.

Broader implications for Nepali travellers and migrants

The suspension is expected to have long-term social and economic implications for Nepal. Thousands of Nepali families rely on family reunification pathways, and many professionals and skilled workers view employment-based green cards as a route to long-term career stability abroad.

Migration experts say the move could also affect remittance flows in the long run if pathways for permanent settlement narrow. The US remains one of the top destinations for Nepali migrants, students, and professionals.

For now, Nepali travellers planning short-term visits can still apply for non-immigrant visas, though under tighter scrutiny and higher financial obligations. Those aiming for permanent settlement in the US, however, face a near-complete halt, with uncertainty over when—or if—the immigrant visa process will resume for Nepal.

The US Department of State has not specified a review timeline, leaving affected applicants and families in limbo as the policy takes effect from January 21.