Foreign Ministry comments on upcoming U.S. immigration visa restrictions for Uzbekistan

Ministry spokesperson Akhror Burkhonov stated that although Uzbekistan is included in the list of 75 countries subject to temporary suspension of immigrant visas, no restrictions have yet been applied.

“The visa issuance system for our citizens continues to operate as it has been, with no restrictions yet imposed,” Burkhonov said in a statement to Daryo.

The U.S. State Department has instructed consular staff worldwide to temporarily suspend approvals of certain immigrant visas while reviewing application and evaluation procedures. The suspension will take effect on January 21. The U.S. has not specified when new criteria for approvals will be introduced. The measure applies only to immigrant visas; applications for other types of visas, including tourist visas, continue as usual, and previously issued immigrant visas remain valid.

What is an immigrant visa?

An immigrant visa allows a foreign citizen to apply for entry into the United States as a legal permanent resident (LPR). Upon arrival, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer under the Department of Homeland Security makes a final determination on eligibility for permanent residency. Once admitted, the individual gains the right to live and work permanently in the United States.

Countries included in the visa restriction list

The list of affected countries includes Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the 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, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the 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, and Yemen.