Rwanda is among of halted visas to stay in US
Based on recent announcements from the U.S. government regarding visa processing suspensions, Rwanda is among 75 countries facing a pause in the processing of U.S. immigrant visas, effective January 21, 2026. However, its citizens are not subject to a full travel ban, and temporary non-immigrant visas (like tourist or student visas) are not affected.
Details of the U.S. Visa Processing Changes
The changes, announced by the Trump administration in December 2025 and January 2026, distinguish between a full entry ban and a suspension of specific visa types.
- Immigrant Visas Suspended:The processing for individuals seeking permanent residency (immigrant visas) has been paused for 75 countries, including Rwanda. The U.S. State Department cited concerns that some migrants might become a “public charge” or utilize welfare at “unacceptable rates” as the reason for this action.
- Non-Immigrant Visas Unaffected:Short-term visas for purposes such as tourism (B1/B2), study (F/M), or exchange visits (J) are still being processed normally for Rwandan citizens.
- Rwanda Not on the Travel Ban List:Rwanda is not on the list of countries facing a full travel ban (which includes nations like Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia). In fact, several reports specifically note that Rwandan citizens remain eligible to travel to the U.S. under existing visa rules for categories not subject to the new immigrant visa pause.
- Reasons for Restrictions:The overall measures are based on various criteria, including high visa overstay rates in the U.S., gaps in screening and information-sharing, and concerns about government fraud in identity document issuance in the affected countries.
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