The United States Department of State has suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. The decision, effective from January 21, 2026, was announced through a post on the official Facebook page of the US Embassy in Dhaka on April 25, 2026. The suspension applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect non-immigrant categories such as tourist or student visas.

According to the announcement, the suspension targets countries whose immigrants have a higher rate of receiving public assistance funded by US taxpayers. The Department of State stated that it is reviewing all screening and verification policies to ensure that immigrants from high-risk countries do not unlawfully access welfare benefits or become a financial burden on the state. The list includes countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The measure aligns with President Trump’s stated policy that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and should not impose economic strain on American citizens.