US visa pause meant to ensure vigorous vetting, says embassy

Islamabad-based mission says Washington wants new immigrants do not use public assistance

ISLAMABAD:

The US Embassy in Islamabad said on Friday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio instituted the pause on the issuance of immigration visa to ensure that the new immigrants were vetted "to the maximum degree" and that they will not use public assistance.

In a post on X, the embassy said that the pause, effective on January 21, applies to the issuance of immigrant visas only and it does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as tourists, students, athletes, skilled workers, and their families.

"Secretary Rubio has instituted this pause until we can ensure that new immigrants have been vetted to the maximum degree to ensure their eligibility for a US visa, including that they will not use public assistance," the embassy said.

"The Trump Administration is focused on protecting the American people by upholding the highest standards of screening and vetting of visa applicants. Effective January 21, the Department of State is pausing issuance to all immigrant visa applicants from selected countries, including Pakistan," it added.

The State Department announced this week a temporary pause on the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, as part of a broader policy review aimed at ensuring new immigrants are financially self-sufficient.

On Thursday, the State Department clarified that while applicants may continue submitting applications and attending scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates, no immigrant visas will be issued during the pause.

It said on its website that admission into the US remains under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, and the pause does not impact existing visa holders. It added that immigrant visas already approved but not yet printed may be refused under the new policy.

Affected countries span South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Russia and Brazil. Pakistan is among the nations impacted by the temporary suspension.