The United States has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and 72 other countries, according to information circulating on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The development has generated widespread concern among prospective immigrants, families, and travel agents across the affected countries.
The reported suspension is said to affect several categories of immigrant visas, potentially delaying applications for family reunification, employment-based migration, and diversity visa processing. While non-immigrant visas such as student, tourist, and business visas are believed to be under review, clarity is still emerging on the full scope of the directive.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the decision forms part of a broader U.S. immigration policy review, aimed at strengthening vetting procedures, managing application backlogs, and reassessing bilateral cooperation on immigration and security matters. However, U.S. authorities have yet to release a detailed public statement outlining the duration of the suspension or the exact countries affected beyond the initial list.
In Ghana and neighbouring countries, the news has sparked anxiety among applicants who have pending interviews or recently submitted documentation. Some affected individuals say they have invested significant time and resources into the application process and are now uncertain about the next steps.
Immigration consultants are advising applicants to remain calm and avoid misinformation, urging them to rely only on official communications from U.S. embassies and the Department of State. They also recommend that applicants with scheduled interviews continue to monitor embassy websites and email notifications for updates.
As the situation unfolds, governments of the affected countries are expected to engage U.S. authorities through diplomatic channels to seek clarification and possible resolutions. For now, many families and hopeful migrants remain in a state of uncertainty, awaiting official guidance on when visa processing may resume.
COMMENTS