Kenya Spared as U.S. Halts Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

Kenya will continue to have its immigrant visa applications processed by the United States after being left out of a sweeping policy that pauses visa processing for citizens of 75 countries.

The decision provides relief to Kenyans seeking to move to the U.S. through family, work, diversity, or other immigration programs.

The U.S. State Department announced that starting January 21, 2026, immigrant visa processing for nationals of the affected countries will be paused indefinitely while officials review screening and vetting procedures. The move is part of broader efforts to tighten U.S. immigration controls.

Under the directive, consular officers have been instructed not to process immigrant visa applications from the listed countries. The pause affects visas based on family ties, employment, adoption, special immigrant categories, and the diversity visa program.

In East Africa, Kenya and Burundi are the only countries not included on the list. Other regional states affected include Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, and South Sudan.

U.S. officials say the freeze is aimed at preventing the entry of immigrants who might rely on government welfare or public benefits after arrival. Critics argue that the policy broadly restricts legal immigration and could affect families and workers worldwide.

Principal Deputy State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott explained the rationale, saying, “The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” He added, “The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”

The policy does not affect non-immigrant visas such as tourist, student, or business visas, which will continue to be issued, though applicants may face enhanced screening.

For Kenyans, being exempted from this freeze means that applications for U.S. immigrant visas can proceed under existing rules, offering continued opportunities for family reunification, work, and diversity immigration even as global immigration policies tighten.