The United States is freezing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Pakistan from January 21, Fox News reported. The development comes as the State Department moves to reassess screening and vetting procedures under the “public charge” provision of US immigration law. According to a State Department memo obtained by US media, consular officers worldwide have been directed to refuse immigrant visas under existing legal authorities while the department conducts a comprehensive review aimed at preventing the entry of applicants deemed likely to rely on public welfare programs. Pakistan is among a wide range of affected countries spanning South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Other countries on the list include Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Thailand and Brazil. The pause will apply to immigrant visa categories and will remain in effect indefinitely until the review is completed. Exceptions will be “very limited” and granted only after applicants clear public charge considerations, according to the memo. The public charge provision allows US authorities to deny visas to individuals assessed as likely to become dependent on government assistance. Under the revised enforcement guidance, consular officers are instructed to consider factors such as age, health, financial resources, English-language proficiency, employment prospects and potential need for long-term medical care. Applicants with a history of using government cash assistance or long-term institutional care may also face heightened scrutiny. A State Department spokesperson said the move reflects the government’s intent to strictly apply long-standing immigration law. “Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” the spokesperson said. The decision marks a significant tightening of immigration enforcement compared to the previous framework, under which the scope of public benefits considered was more limited. Earlier rules excluded programs such as food assistance, Medicaid and housing vouchers from public charge assessments. While the public charge provision has existed for decades, its application has varied across US administrations. A broader interpretation introduced during former president Donald Trump’s first term was partially blocked by courts and later rescinded under the Biden administration. The current move signals a return to stricter enforcement. The visa pause could have implications for family reunification and employment-based immigration from Pakistan, where thousands of applicants seek US immigrant visas each year. The State Department has not provided a timeline for completing the reassessment or for resuming normal visa processing.