What countries are US suspending visa processing?

Why is the US Embassy cancelling visa appointments?

U.S. embassies are canceling visa appointments, especially for H-1B/H-4 visas, due to expanded, time-consuming online and social media vetting, reducing daily processing capacity and causing significant reschedulings, sometimes months into 2026, primarily in India, but affecting global applicants; other reasons include incomplete DS-160 forms, fake details, or general operational issues. 

Is the US deporting green card holders?

Yes, green card holders (lawful permanent residents) can be deported from the U.S. for various reasons, primarily criminal convictions (even for minor offenses), immigration fraud, national security threats, or abandoning residency by living abroad for extended periods. While not automatic, certain crimes like aggravated felonies or crimes of moral turpitude can trigger removal, and authorities actively monitor for risks, making it crucial for LPRs to understand these grounds.
 

What is the strongest passport in the world?

The three most powerful passports this year belong to Asian countries, with the Singaporean passport continuing to maintain its top-ranking position with access to 192 destinations visa-free. The South Korean passport remains in second place—but now shares its position with Japan (who previously came in third).

Which countries give visa easily?

12 Schengen Countries with Easy Visa Approval

• Luxembourg. The dream to celebrate Christmas in New York City is surely on everyone's bucket list. ...
• Switzerland. The majestic mountains and winding roads with nature's allure are what Switzerland will treat you with. ...
• Germany. ...
• Italy. ...
• Austria. ...
• Slovakia. ...
• Iceland. ...
• Latvia.

How long will the visa pause last?

The Trump administration is placing an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, further tightening legal pathways to the United States and expanding earlier travel and visa restrictions.

Which country gets a US visa easily?

Easy to apply would be Singapore & Thailand as Credit card is accepted for payment of MRV fees. India! If you have strong reasons and a strong profile, you will definitely get the visa, and you won't even have to explain why you're in a third country for the US visa!

Which countries can US citizens not travel to?

Americans cannot travel to certain countries due to active conflict, extreme crime, terrorism, or severe political instability, with the U.S. Department of State issuing Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisories for nations like Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Iran, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Ukraine, while specific travel bans also exist for nationals from some nations like North Korea (no U.S. passports allowed) and other countries under varying restrictions. 

What is the 3 year visa ban?

A re-entry ban often applies to people who have overstayed their visa in Australia or had their visa cancelled, thereafter preventing them from being granted another visa to travel to Australia for 3 years after the date of their departure.

Which 75 countries suspended visas?

Effective January 21, 2026, immigrant visas will not be issued to applicants who are nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape ...

Which country has the highest US visa rejection rate?

While specific rankings fluctuate yearly, Cuba, Afghanistan, and several African nations like Mauritania, Liberia, Somalia, and Djibouti consistently show very high U.S. visa rejection rates, particularly for tourist/business (B-1/B-2) visas, often exceeding 70-80%, with Bangladesh and Pakistan also facing significant recent challenges. Data from FY2024 and FY2023 highlights countries like Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and Eritrea with elevated rates, indicating ongoing scrutiny, especially for non-immigrant visas. 

Who has to pay $100,000 for an H1B visa?

The $100,000 H-1B fee, implemented in late 2025, applies to employers filing new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. who don't have a valid H-1B visa, specifically those seeking entry or consular processing, not for extensions, changes of status for F-1 students, or current H-1B holders. It's a fee on importing labor to discourage using H-1Bs primarily for cost savings, targeting new overseas hires, with very rare national interest exceptions possible, making it a significant cost for many businesses. 

Which country rejected the visa most?

Comoros leads with a 61.3% rejection rate, followed by Guinea-Bissau at 51%, Ghana at 47.5%, Mali at 46.1%, Sudan at 42.3%, and Senegal at 41.2%. Three Asian countries and a European country complete the list: Pakistan with 49.6%, Syria with 46%, and Bangladesh with 43.3%.

What country is most accepting of Americans?

Poland, Israel, South Korea, Japan, and Nigeria consistently show high positive views of Americans, while countries like Portugal, Mexico, Canada, Spain, and Costa Rica are noted for being generally welcoming and easy for Americans to visit or even settle in, often due to cultural ties, proximity, or specific immigration policies. The "most welcoming" country depends on whether you're looking for short-term tourism or long-term settlement, but many nations in Europe, Latin America, and Asia offer warm receptions for U.S. citizens. 

Which country has the toughest visa to get?

1. North Korea. Without a doubt, North Korea comes on top of this list. hardest visa to get for indian we all know that, North Korea is the most isolated country in the world & the most difficult visa to get a Visa country.

Which passport is hardest to get?

The hardest passports to get are often for Vatican City, Qatar, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), due to exclusive requirements like religious roles (Vatican/SMOM) or extreme residency and assimilation demands (Qatar). Other difficult ones include Saudi Arabia, China, and Japan, which have very strict naturalization processes, long residency requirements, or limited pathways, often favoring specific ancestral or professional ties.
 

What is the #1 passport?

The number 1 passport, according to the Henley Passport Index for 2026, is held by Singapore, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations, with Japan and South Korea closely following, while the Passport Index Organization also ranks the UAE passport highly, though rankings vary slightly between indices. These rankings determine passport strength by the number of countries you can visit without a prior visa, with Asian nations generally dominating the top spots. 

Is the USA a strong passport?

Yes, the U.S. passport is generally strong, offering access to many countries, but its ranking has fallen significantly, placing it outside the top 10 in recent major passport indexes (around 10th-12th) due to declining visa-free access compared to other nations like Singapore, Japan, and EU countries, despite holding a high position in the past (tied for #1 in 2014). It provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 180 destinations, but some major countries still require visas, and the U.S. is less reciprocal in its own entry policies.
 

Who is at most risk for deportation?

Those at highest risk for deportation include undocumented immigrants, especially those with any criminal record or prior removal orders, and certain lawful permanent residents (green card holders), asylum seekers, and visa holders with specific criminal convictions or violations of status, with priorities often shifting based on current immigration policies. Factors like entry without inspection, visa overstays, serious crimes (e.g., aggravated felonies, drug/domestic violence offenses), or even minor offenses (depending on the law) increase vulnerability, alongside recent actions targeting those with temporary protections like TPS or parole programs. 

What is the new law for green card holders 2025?

New rules for green card holders in late 2025 focus heavily on mandatory biometric entry/exit systems, eliminating exemptions for young children and seniors, plus stricter vetting for benefits and travel, with increased scrutiny on issues like speeding tickets, false citizenship claims, and "public charge" factors, impacting travel, renewals, and naturalization applications, and generally tightening overall immigration processes.