US halts visas for Bangladeshi immigrants

The United States Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday reminded Bangladeshi applicants that the US government has suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for Bangladeshi nationals as part of a broader review aimed at ensuring new immigrants do not become dependent on American public welfare programmes.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the embassy said the measure took effect on 21 January 2026 and was introduced following a decision by the US Department of State to review its immigrant visa screening and vetting policies.

The embassy said the review is intended to ensure that immigrants are financially self-sufficient and do not unlawfully use government welfare benefits or become a public charge in the United States.

“We owe it to American taxpayers to make sure that immigrants do not unlawfully utilise government welfare or become a public charge to the United States,” the embassy said, quoting the State Department.

According to the embassy, the temporary suspension applies only to immigrant visas, which are issued to individuals seeking permanent residence in the United States.

It clarified that the pause does not affect non immigrant visas, including tourist, business and student visas, which continue to be processed as usual.

The embassy also noted that the Department of State is conducting a comprehensive review of its screening and vetting procedures to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s policy that immigrants should be financially self-sufficient and should not become a financial burden on American taxpayers.

Bangladesh is among dozens of countries whose nationals are currently subject to the temporary pause in immigrant visa issuance while the review is underway.
The list also includes Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Brazil, Thailand, Morocco, Jordan and several other countries.

The US Department of State said the suspension would remain in place until the review of its policies and procedures is completed.

No timeline has yet been announced for the resumption of immigrant visa issuance for affected nationalities.