US Halts Immigrant Visa Processing for Thai Applicants

US Halts Immigrant Visa Processing for Thai Applicants

The United States government has announced it will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of Thailand among 75 countries starting 21 January, as part of a review of screening procedures. The move is aimed at enforcing public-charge rules more strictly, meaning applicants likely to depend on government support may be denied. This pause has no defined end date and involves reevaluating how health, financial stability and language skills factor into eligibility. While exceptions will be rare, the policy affects long-term relocation pathways rather than short-term tourism or non-immigrant visas. The change forms part of broader adjustments to the US immigration vetting system.