United States Suspends Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries, Including Bangladesh

The United States has decided to suspend visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. The information was reported on Wednesday (January 14) by US-based media outlet Fox News.

According to the report, Fox News initially disclosed the names of several countries and later confirmed that Bangladesh is also included in the list. The decision will come into effect from January 21.

Fox News reported that the US Department of State has already sent instructions to consular offices in the 75 affected countries. The directive states that the current visa screening and vetting process will be re-evaluated, and during this review period, visa applications from citizens of these countries should be rejected.

Speaking on the issue, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said,
“The Department of State is reviewing visa issuance procedures. As a result, entry into the United States will be temporarily restricted for citizens of 75 countries. This step is primarily aimed at preventing the entry of foreign nationals who may become dependent on US government assistance or public benefits.”

Earlier, former US President Donald Trump had stated that among South Asian countries, Bangladeshi expatriates receive the highest amount of US government benefits.