The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including several in the Caribbean such as Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The move, set to begin on January 21, is part of broader guidelines aimed at restricting entry for individuals deemed likely to rely on public assistance after moving to the United States.
The suspension applies only to immigrant visas, not non-immigrant visas like tourist or business visas. With major international sporting events on the horizon, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, the demand for temporary travel visas to the U.S. is expected to rise across the Caribbean.
In a statement, the State Department said the decision “aims to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would depend on welfare and public benefits.” It added that consular officers have been instructed to assess visa applicants based on multiple factors, including age, health, family status, finances, education, skills, and any past use of public assistance. English proficiency may also be considered during visa interviews.
Grenadians and other Caribbean nationals seeking permanent residency or legal status in the U.S. will now face stricter scrutiny under these guidelines. Immigrants already undergo mandatory medical examinations, vaccinations, and background checks, but the new measures expand the criteria to include broader evaluations of applicants’ ability to support themselves financially.
The Caribbean countries affected by this suspension are: Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Dominica. Other nations on the list span Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Experts warn that this new directive could further limit opportunities for Caribbean citizens seeking long-term residency in the United States, at a time when immigration rules under the Republican administration have been tightened.
The countries affected by the suspension announced on Wednesday are:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, 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.
