US Freezes Visas for 75 Countries, Kyrgyzstan Included

The US Department of State has announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Kyrgyzstan, as part of a crackdown on applicants deemed likely to rely on public assistance.

The Department of State cited tougher enforcement of immigration rules aimed at preventing newcomers from becoming a financial burden on US taxpayers, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Consular officers have been instructed to refuse visas under existing law while Washington reassesses its screening and vetting procedures. The restrictions have been imposed for an indefinite period.

The affected list spans multiple regions, including parts of Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Countries named include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, among dozens of others.

State Department officials say the move is tied to stricter application of the so-called “public charge” provision-an immigration rule allowing authorities to deny entry to foreign nationals deemed likely to rely on government assistance. Consular officers are now required to assess factors such as age, health, English-language ability, financial resources, and potential long-term medical needs. Prior receipt of public benefits may also lead to a visa refusal.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said the department is using its long-standing authority to bar applicants who could “exploit the generosity of the American people,” adding that immigration from the listed countries will remain paused until the review is complete. Exceptions, officials stressed, will be “very limited.”

The public charge rule has existed for decades, though its enforcement has shifted over time. Its scope was expanded in 2019 under Donald Trump, then partially rolled back during the administration of Joe Biden.

The State Department maintains that the current pause is designed to safeguard US public resources and ensure that immigration policies align with the interests of American taxpayers.