"Only immigration visas are suspended" - US Embassy Clarification: Tourism and visits continue normally
The US State Department announced a day ago that it is suspending immigration visas for applicants from 75 countries around the world. These include Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Western Balkans. The suspension will begin on January 21.
The US Embassy in Tirana has clarified what effect this decision will have.
"President Trump has made it clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden on Americans. The State Department is conducting a complete review of all policies, regulations, and guidelines to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not use welfare in the United States and are not considered a public burden ," the embassy statement said.
Starting January 21, 2026, the State Department will suspend the issuance of all immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, immigrant visa applicants who are citizens of the affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department will continue to schedule appointments for applicants, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these citizens during this suspension period.
Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country not listed above are exempt from this suspension. According to the official announcement from the US Embassy, no immigrant visas have been removed as part of this guidance.
This suspension only applies to immigrant visa applicants, as tourist visas are non-immigrant visas.
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