US Immigrant visa pause does not affect B1-B2 travel visas – Ghana’s US Ambassador assures

US Immigrant visa: Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has assured Ghanaians that the United States government’s recent decision to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing does not affect non-immigrant visa categories, including visas for short-term travel.

In a clarification posted on the official Facebook page of the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC, Ambassador Smith explained that visas issued for tourism, business, conferences and medical visits remain fully operational.

“The US State Department confirms that B1-B2 travel visas will continue. Only immigrant visas are being paused,” the Ambassador stated.

He further emphasised that the directive applies strictly to immigrant visa categories, dismissing concerns that the decision could disrupt short-term travel plans for Ghanaians.

“Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Victor Emmanuel Smith, clarifies uncertainties surrounding the recent US visa restrictions announced by the US Government,” the embassy noted.

Background to the US Immigrant visa pause

The clarification follows growing anxiety among Ghanaians after the US State Department announced a temporary suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria.

The policy, which is part of a broader review of visa screening procedures, is linked to the enforcement of long-standing ‘public charge’ provisions under US immigration law. These provisions allow immigration authorities to deny visas to applicants considered likely to depend on public welfare systems in the United States.

According to the US government, the pause is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026, and will remain in force indefinitely while the reassessment of screening and vetting procedures is carried out.

Scope of the directive of US Immigrant visa

Under the directive, consular officers have been instructed to refuse immigrant visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on public assistance in the United States. The review aims to strengthen vetting mechanisms and ensure stricter compliance with existing immigration regulations.

However, Ambassador Smith confirmed that the suspension does not extend to non-immigrant visas, which include B1-B2 visas commonly used for short-term purposes such as tourism, business travel, academic conferences, medical treatment and family visits.

Immigrant visa categories affected by the pause include family-sponsored and employment-based visas, among others.

Relief for prospective travellers

The ambassador’s assurance is expected to ease concerns among Ghanaians planning short-term visits to the United States for legitimate reasons, particularly those who had feared potential disruptions to travel arrangements.

The list of countries affected by the immigrant visa pause spans multiple regions and includes Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand and Yemen, among others.

The US State Department has indicated that exceptions to the suspension will be extremely limited and will be granted only under special circumstances, subject to strict public charge assessments.

For now, Ghanaian travellers seeking non-immigrant visas have been advised to proceed with their applications as usual.

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