The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok announced on March 27, 2026, that the U.S. Department of State has paused immigrant visa issuances to nationals from 75 countries, including Thailand. This suspension, effective January 21, 2026, aims to prevent immigrants from draining U.S. welfare resources. Applicants from these nations can still submit applications and attend interviews, but no visas will be issued during this period.

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According to the Department of State, this measure affects countries with high rates of immigrants who utilize public assistance programs in the U.S. The policy is a part of a broader initiative to ensure that immigrants are financially self-sufficient and align with previous guidance from President Donald Trump. Exceptions will be made for dual nationals with passports from non-listed countries and children adopted by American families, along with specific cases granted National Interest Exceptions under Presidential Proclamation 10998.

The policy review reflects concerns about immigrants potentially becoming a public charge, thereby burdening American taxpayers. This aligns with Trump administration's focus on reducing dependency on government support by immigrants. Experts warn that this restriction could strain diplomatic relations, impacting families and businesses connected across these countries.

Looking forward, the pause could influence international relations and initiate changes in immigrant policy dialogues between affected nations and the U.S. While the pause aims at economic self-sufficiency, future negotiations and potential policy adjustments will determine its duration and scope, reported Khaosod.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Khaosod · 26 Mar 2026

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Guess the 75, including thailand, will return "the favour" ;-)

Looks like the FIFA World Cup in the US will be played in front of empty stadiums

11 minutes ago, Beat666 said:

Looks like the FIFA World Cup in the US will be played in front of empty stadiums

People going to the World Cup only need a US Tourist visa, not an Immigrant visa.

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

People going to the World Cup only need a US Tourist visa, not an Immigrant visa.

Good point.

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok announced on March 27, 2026, that the U.S. Department of State has paused immigrant visa issuances to nationals from 75 countries, including Thailand. This suspension, effective January 21, 2026, aims to prevent immigrants from draining U.S. welfare resources.

Elect a fascist, get fascism (eg. illogical hate of foreigners).

I guess a lot of those pro-Trump posters -- if they actually have been in Thailand -- will go silent, as soon as they are removed in retaliation when their visa ends.

The West should employ some reciprocity on visas/laws with all these nationalist countries that oppress westerner's opportunities and access to their country, as is par-for-the-course with the nonsense we experience here... what goes around comes around, karma, as fairs fair.

6 minutes ago, jts-khorat said:

Elect a fascist, get fascism (eg. illogical hate of foreigners).

I guess a lot of those pro-Trump posters -- if they actually have been in Thailand -- will go silent, as soon as they are removed in retaliation when their visa ends.

How is that considered fascist? I look forward to your response.

The reality is that the USA is admitting too many low-value immigrants, which does nothing to improve the country.

Thais get a tourist visa and then stay as long as they like working in Sanctuary Cities like LA and North Hollywood.

28 minutes ago, jts-khorat said:

Elect a fascist, get fascism (eg. illogical hate of foreigners).

I guess a lot of those pro-Trump posters -- if they actually have been in Thailand -- will go silent, as soon as they are removed in retaliation when their visa ends.

I am a pro-Trump poster and have been in Thailand for over twenty years now. Fat chance I will be removed as my wife is part of the Thai government. But this is nonsense as no one will be removed. The Thai people love the Trump as well as millions of Americans.

9 minutes ago, Screaming said:

I am a pro-Trump poster and have been in Thailand for over twenty years now. Fat chance I will be removed as my wife is part of the Thai government. But this is nonsense as no one will be removed. The Thai people love the Trump as well as millions of Americans.

Please supply objective evidence of support by Thai people towards the Trump.

As far as I can tell from the Thai media, of those that have an opinion, they are very divided about that.

Anecdotal personal stories do not count.

I can't understand why anyone would want to travel to america, it's a <deleted> hole .Literally every state I've had the displeasure of visiting. american TV makes the please look much better than it actually is.

It’s hard to see this latest move from the Trump administration as anything other than another attempt to weaponise immigration policy in a way that disproportionately harms people from Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East

The official justification that immigrants “drain welfare resources” simply doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

Study after study has shown that immigrants overwhelmingly contribute to their host countries through taxes, labour, entrepreneurship, and cultural enrichment.

To suspend immigrant visas for 75 nations, including Thailand, under the guise of “protecting resources” feels like a thinly veiled attempt to restrict entry from countries that don’t fit the administration’s preferred demographic profile.

Many people have pointed out that this pattern mirrors earlier policies that targeted specific regions while claiming neutral administrative motives.

What makes this even more troubling is the real human cost. Families are separated, workers are blocked from opportunities they’ve earned, and communities lose people who would otherwise contribute meaningfully.

Meanwhile, the narrative that immigrants are a burden continues to be pushed despite being repeatedly debunked.

If the administration were genuinely concerned about economic strain, it would focus on evidence-based policy rather than leaning on stereotypes that have been used for decades to justify exclusion.

Instead, this decision reinforces the perception that race and nationality are being used as political tools, and that’s something people across ASEAN and beyond have every right to call out.

Guess its OK for Thailand to require immigrants to have $$ in the bank, but not the USA?

The public charge provision of US Law has been there for ages. Ask guys who married a foreigner.

14 hours ago, Screaming said:

I am a pro-Trump poster and have been in Thailand for over twenty years now. Fat chance I will be removed as my wife is part of the Thai government. But this is nonsense as no one will be removed. The Thai people love the Trump as well as millions of Americans.

Thank you. !!!!

Hopefully Thailand responds in kind. The fewer loud mouth Americans in Thailand spreading their tipping cancer culture the better.

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Guess its OK for Thailand to require immigrants to have $$ in the bank, but not the USA?

The public charge provision of US Law has been there for ages. Ask guys who married a foreigner.

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Guess its OK for Thailand to require immigrants to have $$ in the bank, but not the USA?

The public charge provision of US Law has been there for ages. Ask guys who married a foreigner.

5 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Guess its OK for Thailand to require immigrants to have $$ in the bank, but not the USA?

The public charge provision of US Law has been there for ages. Ask guys who married a foreigner.

Good Point!

15 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Guess the 75, including thailand, will return "the favour" ;-)

How many American are getting immigrant visas in Thailand? Thailand doesn't offer an immigrant visa at entry. You can invest huge amounts of money and spend many years here and still probably won't get a visa type that is similar to an immigrant visa that the USA offers ( fewer now it seems :) ).

5 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

Study after study has shown that immigrants overwhelmingly contribute to their host countries through taxes, labour, entrepreneurship, and cultural enrichment.

There are two types of immigrants: the ones who assimilate to the local culture, customs and traditions and the ones who can't/don't. If you don't strictly control the inflow of the latter population (Asian countries mostly do control) then the country you were born becomes slowly but surely another country with another culture (usually the strongest one with the most rigorous brainwashing rules). Some people are happy with that outcome, others don't. Demography makes history.

14 hours ago, Screaming said:

I am a pro-Trump poster and have been in Thailand for over twenty years now. Fat chance I will be removed as my wife is part of the Thai government. But this is nonsense as no one will be removed. The Thai people love the Trump as well as millions of Americans.

Works for the government what? At the copy machine?

The US already has a financial requirement for applicants for an immigrant visa.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition/affidavit-of-support.html

If the threshold isn't sufficient, raise it.

This ban is just more Trump and MAGA xenophobia.

18 hours ago, Screaming said:

I am a pro-Trump poster and have been in Thailand for over twenty years now. Fat chance I will be removed as my wife is part of the Thai government. But this is nonsense as no one will be removed. The Thai people love the Trump as well as millions of Americans.

You're delusional. The only ones that love Trump are idiots with an IQ so low it can't be measured.

If you love this total, egotistical arrogant and incompetent moron so much then get your butt back to the US and maybe you can attend one of his nitwit speeches, wear a MAGA hat and shout USA, USA. Anyone that supports this clown likely has major mental problems like him so seek help because you definitely need. it.

4 minutes ago, jimgilly said:

You're delusional. The only ones that love Trump are idiots with an IQ so low it can't be measured.

If you love this total, egotistical arrogant and incompetent moron so much then get your butt back to the US and maybe you can attend one of his nitwit speeches, wear a MAGA hat and shout USA, USA. Anyone that supports this clown likely has major mental problems like him so seek help because you definitely need. it.

The great part is theres WAY more of us than of you so enjoy.

10 hours ago, 1tooth said:

I can't understand why anyone would want to travel to america, it's a <deleted> hole .Literally every state I've had the displeasure of visiting. american TV makes the please look much better than it actually is.

what the hell have you been smoking. Tell us all about the wonderland that you call home.

4 hours ago, shdmn said:

Hopefully Thailand responds in kind. The fewer loud mouth Americans in Thailand spreading their tipping cancer culture the better.

Not all Americans tip, not even close

19 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Guess the 75, including thailand, will return "the favour" ;-)

Do US nationals go on Thai public assistance? Unlike western countries' treatment of Thai nationals, Thailand does not grant easy refugee status or offer support to westerners.

Just now, Slowhand225 said:

The great part is theres WAY more of us than of you so enjoy.

How sad that would be if the majority of Americans in Thailand support one of the most despicable human beings on the planet and they are even willing to say it in public. This goes beyond ignorance and arrogance, it shows a level of pure stupidity that is hard to comprehend.

Seriously, all of you who are this dumb downed need to get your asses back to the States where you belong and if eligible, join the military. If you are close enough to me, I'll even give you a free ride to the airport but in the meantime tell as many as you can how great America is and what a wonderful president you have.

9 hours ago, Jim Waldron said:

It’s hard to see this latest move from the Trump administration as anything other than another attempt to weaponise immigration policy in a way that disproportionately harms people from Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East

The official justification that immigrants “drain welfare resources” simply doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.

Study after study has shown that immigrants overwhelmingly contribute to their host countries through taxes, labour, entrepreneurship, and cultural enrichment.

To suspend immigrant visas for 75 nations, including Thailand, under the guise of “protecting resources” feels like a thinly veiled attempt to restrict entry from countries that don’t fit the administration’s preferred demographic profile.

Many people have pointed out that this pattern mirrors earlier policies that targeted specific regions while claiming neutral administrative motives.

What makes this even more troubling is the real human cost. Families are separated, workers are blocked from opportunities they’ve earned, and communities lose people who would otherwise contribute meaningfully.

Meanwhile, the narrative that immigrants are a burden continues to be pushed despite being repeatedly debunked.

If the administration were genuinely concerned about economic strain, it would focus on evidence-based policy rather than leaning on stereotypes that have been used for decades to justify exclusion.

Instead, this decision reinforces the perception that race and nationality are being used as political tools, and that’s something people across ASEAN and beyond have every right to call out.

Wheres your source for those claims (you're required to provide them per the rules)

If they exist, they are not talking about criminal invaders. Nobody has a problem with legal aliens
Even you know from watching the news that they have in fact been shown to be on all forms of public assistance AND vote.
All of which the dems have been saying can't happen.

37 minutes ago, jimgilly said:

You're delusional. The only ones that love Trump are idiots with an IQ so low it can't be measured.

If you love this total, egotistical arrogant and incompetent moron so much then get your butt back to the US and maybe you can attend one of his nitwit speeches, wear a MAGA hat and shout USA, USA. Anyone that supports this clown likely has major mental problems like him so seek help because you definitely need. it.

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