U.S. HALTS VISA PROCESSING FOR 75 COUNTRIES The U.S. State Department will pause all visa processing for 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, while it reviews screening and vetting procedures aimed at preventing applicants likely to become public charges. The suspension is indefinite and instructs consular officers to deny visas under existing law during the review. Affected countries include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria, Thailand, and Yemen.(*Walter Bloomberg)