Brazil Joins Jamaica, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Cuba, Guatemala, and Others in Facing Severe Travel Setback to the US as the Government Cracks Down on Immigration by Freezing Visa Processing for Nationals of Fifty-Six Countries: Everything You Need to Know

By: Rana Pratap

As of January 21, 2026, Brazil, along with countries like Jamaica, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Cuba, and Guatemala, is facing a severe travel setback to the U.S. due to a freeze on visa processing. This move is part of the U.S. government’s crackdown on immigration, specifically targeting nationals of fifty-six countries that are deemed at high risk for becoming a public charge. The policy aims to ensure that immigrants are financially self-sufficient and do not rely on U.S. welfare programs. While visa interviews for immigrant applicants are still being scheduled, the freeze prevents the issuance of any immigrant visas until the financial review process is complete. This policy affects families, professionals, and students from these countries who were hoping to join relatives, move for work, or pursue education in the U.S. With travel disruptions already causing frustration, the continued impact of the visa freeze will likely lead to prolonged delays. This article dives deeper into the specific challenges faced by each of the affected countries and how this travel freeze could reshape international movement to the U.S. in the coming months.

Brazil: A Pause on Immigrant Visas, But New Paths for Multinationals

As of February 2, 2026, Brazil faces significant changes in its ability to send nationals to the U.S., particularly regarding immigrant visas. The indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing has created a bottleneck for Brazilian families waiting for their Green Cards, with interviews still being held at the U.S. Embassy in Brasília and consulates in Rio and São Paulo, but without visa issuance until the financial review is complete. However, there is a silver lining for multinational companies. Due to the FIFA PASS and other work-related programs, firms are increasingly relying on non-immigrant visas such as L-1 (intracompany transfer) or H-1B visas to move staff to the U.S. The FIFA PASS system, which allows for faster scheduling, is expected to be a key tool for Brazilian companies. Despite this, the travel advisory for increased caution due to crime and kidnapping, particularly near land borders, adds another layer of complexity for individuals traveling from Brazil. As trade.gov has noted, while Brazil still faces challenges, the shift to alternative visa routes and the push for business travelers are helping mitigate the effects of the pause.

Dominica: Navigating the Impact of U.S. Immigrant Visa Pause

Dominica, like many countries on the U.S. immigrant visa pause list, faces significant disruptions in its ability to send nationals to the U.S. for immigrant visa processing. As of January 21, 2026, the Department of State has paused the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from Dominica, along with other countries in the CARICOM region. While visa interviews will still be conducted at U.S. consulates, no immigrant visas will be issued until the financial review process is complete, part of the U.S. government’s efforts to ensure that immigrants do not become a burden on the country’s welfare system. However, dual nationals who hold passports from countries not affected by the pause, and adoptive children of U.S. citizens, can still proceed with their visa applications under exceptions. This pause has created considerable uncertainty for families awaiting Green Cards or family reunifications, as well as professionals who rely on immigrant work visas. While tourist visas (B-1/B-2) remain unaffected, the disruption to immigrant visa processing means that many Dominicans will have to wait longer for their U.S. entry approvals. This delay reflects broader challenges and changes in U.S. immigration policy aimed at reducing reliance on public benefits by immigrants.

Jamaica: Visa Process Hits a Standstill for Immigrant Applicants

Jamaica is facing significant travel disruptions due to the immigrant visa pause enacted by the U.S. government. The country, known for its strong cultural ties to the U.S. and its high volume of family-based immigrant visas, now sees thousands of families stuck in a holding pattern, unable to complete the final steps of the Green Card process. While non-immigrant B1/B2 tourist visas remain unaffected, these are not a substitute for immigrant visa processing, and travelers are advised not to use them as a workaround for their Green Card applications. The pause on immigrant visas directly impacts many Jamaican families eager to reunite with their U.S.-based relatives. As of late 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Kingston also introduced a new rule that limits visa tourism by requiring non-immigrant visa applicants to apply only in their country of residence. This policy shift is likely to lead to additional delays for Jamaican nationals attempting to navigate the U.S. visa process. The ongoing uncertainty and lack of clarity on when processing will resume are driving frustration among Jamaican citizens who are awaiting a resolution to the immigration backlog.

Saint Lucia: A Regional Effect with Ongoing Uncertainty

Saint Lucia is feeling the effects of the U.S. immigrant visa pause, which has caused a ripple throughout the Caribbean region, particularly among CARICOM states. As of February 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs in Saint Lucia has confirmed that the country is among the 11 affected CARICOM states, and discussions are underway to clarify the duration of the pause. While immigrant visas are currently on hold, certain categories like adoption cases remain prioritized under the National Interest Exception, allowing U.S.-based families to continue the adoption process. For others, the indefinite immigrant visa pause has disrupted the standard procedure, leaving many hopeful applicants in limbo. In the wake of the pause, Saint Lucia continues to advocate for clearer guidelines and faster processing times for its citizens, particularly those impacted by the immigration freeze. The U.S. Embassy in Barbados, which handles many of the consular operations for Saint Lucia, is working closely with local officials to address the confusion surrounding visa applications, though the pause’s impact is still being felt by many potential travelers.

Cuba: Double Restrictions on U.S. Visas for Soccer Fans and More

Cuba finds itself in a unique and challenging situation with dual restrictions affecting both immigrant and non-immigrant visas. As part of the Presidential Proclamation 10998 (January 1, 2026), Cuba is subject to a partial suspension of many visa categories, including B-1/B-2 and student visas, making it significantly harder for Cuban nationals to travel to the U.S. for any reason. To compound matters, Cuba is also included in the 75-country immigrant visa pause implemented on January 21, 2026, which has effectively frozen immigrant visa processing for Cuban nationals. The FIFA PASS system, designed to ease visa wait times for World Cup ticket holders, does not override these travel restrictions, meaning Cuban fans eager to attend the 2026 World Cup will likely face significant hurdles. The partial suspension and heightened scrutiny of Cuban applicants are further complicated by the ongoing political landscape, which could contribute to delays in visa appointments and approval. For Cuban nationals, traveling to the U.S. will be a more complicated and uncertain process in 2026, with many travelers likely to face prolonged waiting times.

Guatemala: High-Risk Profiles Add Layers to Visa Processing Delays

Guatemala is one of the countries most affected by the U.S. immigrant visa pause in 2026, especially for individuals applying under family reunification categories, such as parents or siblings of U.S. citizens. The U.S. government has focused its pause on high-risk public charge profiles, which has slowed down the processing of immigrant visa applications in Guatemala. Consular officers in Guatemala City are now required to assess the health and financial status of the applicant’s non-applying family members when determining whether the applicant is likely to become a burden on the U.S. welfare system. This new layer of scrutiny has added additional hurdles for Guatemalans hoping to join their families in the U.S. Moreover, with immigrant visa processing taking longer due to the pause, many applicants face uncertainty regarding when they will finally receive approval. While tourist visas and other non-immigrant visas remain unaffected, they cannot substitute for the backlog in immigrant visa processing. As reported by trade.gov, the focus on “public charge” profiles continues to shape Guatemalan applicants’ experiences, further lengthening the time for visa approvals.

Immigrant Visa Processing Updates: Changes for High-Risk Nationalities

Effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State implemented a pause on immigrant visa issuances for nationals of several countries due to concerns about public benefits reliance. This policy change aligns with President Trump’s directive to ensure immigrants do not become a financial burden on the U.S. The pause impacts nationals from countries like Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Nigeria, and Syria, among others, and prevents the issuance of immigrant visas until further notice. The Department continues to schedule interviews for applicants, but visas will not be issued until applicants undergo thorough financial reviews. Dual nationals with valid passports from countries not on the list are exempt from this pause, as well as children being adopted by U.S. citizens, who may qualify for an exception under the National Interest Exception. However, the pause does not affect tourist visas (B-1/B-2), which remain open for nationals from these countries. While the pause delays immigrant visa processing, it does not impact current valid visas, meaning existing visa holders will not see their status revoked. The U.S. government emphasizes that this measure is part of a broader strategy to ensure that immigrants are financially self-sufficient upon entry.

Brazil joins Jamaica, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Cuba, Guatemala, and others in facing severe travel setbacks to the U.S. as the government cracks down on immigration by freezing visa processing for nationals of fifty-six countries.

Conclusion

Brazil, along with Jamaica, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Cuba, Guatemala, and other nations, is experiencing severe travel setbacks to the U.S. due to the government’s crackdown on immigration. The visa processing freeze for nationals of fifty-six countries reflects a broader effort to ensure that immigrants do not become a financial burden on U.S. taxpayers. While the pause in immigrant visa issuances is creating significant delays and uncertainty for travelers, the policy is aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency among immigrants. As countries like Brazil and Guatemala navigate the visa challenges, the U.S. continues to prioritize security and financial considerations in its immigration process. The situation highlights the ongoing shifts in U.S. immigration policies, with many countries now facing these new restrictions, which are likely to have long-term effects on global travel and visa applications.