MFA: US visa suspension has limited impact; Moldovans still allowed entry
The United States of America (USA) 's decision to temporarily suspend the issuance of visas, effective January 21, 2026, also applies to citizens of the Republic of Moldova. However, this suspension does not constitute a travel ban or restriction on access to the USA. Issued immigrant visas will not be revoked, and the processing of non-immigrant visas will remain unaffected. These clarifications were provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova (MFA).
According to the MFA, the decision announced by the US is administrative and is part of a process of re-evaluating the criteria for using public assistance - "public charge", and is not a general ban on travel or access to the territory of the United States.
Immigration visas already issued are not revoked
Immigration visas already issued remain valid. These are official documents that allow a person to permanently settle in the United States of America. Only their actual issuance is temporarily suspended. However, applications can still be submitted.
Non-immigrant visas are not affected
Tourist, study or work visas, as well as business and other non-immigrant visas are not affected and continue to be processed and issued normally.
"The impact on citizens of the Republic of Moldova is limited, given that the number of immigration visas issued annually in Chisinau has been constantly reduced", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
For official and updated information, citizens are encouraged to consult the US Embassy in Chisinau website and the travel.state.gov platform.
The United States of America (US) announced that it will suspend, starting January 21, visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, Fox News reported on January 14, citing a US State Department memo.
“Immigration from these 75 countries will be suspended while the State Department reevaluates immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would benefit from social assistance and public benefits,” according to Fox News.
The suspension will remain in place indefinitely while the State Department conducts a review of visa processing procedures.
“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public burden on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott.
The full list of countries affected includes:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
The move comes amid a broad crackdown on immigration policies promoted by President Donald Trump since taking office in January 2025.
In November, Trump said he would "permanently suspend" immigration from all "third world countries" after a gun attack near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guardsman, Reuters notes.
The State Department announced that more than 100,000 visas were revoked in 2025, including about 8,000 student visas.
