Several Caribbean countries have been included on a list of nations from which the United States will pause the processing of immigrant visas, according to a report by Fox News.

Fox News reported that 75 countries are affected by the policy, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Suriname were the only Caribbean countries not on the Fox News list.

Other countries reportedly affected include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria and Thailand.

Both the White House and the US State Department have confirmed the policy change but have not released an official, comprehensive list of all affected countries.

In a post on social media, the White House said the Trump Administration would pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries until the United States can ensure that incoming immigrants will not become a public charge or place a financial burden on American taxpayers.

A previous White House post praised President Donald Trump’s immigration measures, claiming the policies resulted in the United States recording negative net migration for the first time in 50 years.

In a separate post on X, formerly Twitter, the State Department confirmed that Somalia, Haiti, Iran and Eritrea are among the countries affected. 

The department reiterated the administration’s position that nationals from some countries may pose a financial burden on the state.

The announcement comes as an added setback for citizens of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, whose nationals were already affected by US visa restrictions introduced in December. 

At that time, the Trump Administration halted the issuance of new non-immigrant visas to nationals of both countries.

It later added the islands to countries whose passport holders must pay a visa integrity bond ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000.

Under the bond programme, Dominicans and Antiguans and Barbudians granted visas are restricted to entering and exiting the United States through Boston Logan International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, or John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The new policy, which applies only to new visa applications, is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.

The restrictions affect several non-immigrant visa categories, including B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), B-1/B-2 (combined), F and M (student visas), and J (work and study-based exchange programmes), as well as visas issued to spouses and dependents.

Meanwhile, several Caribbean governments are currently engaged in discussions with the United States regarding the acceptance of third-country nationals whom the US seeks to deport but is unable to return to their home countries.

St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Saint Lucia have each signed preliminary arrangements with the United States related to the acceptance of such deportees, although officials in those countries have indicated that final terms and conditions are still being negotiated.