In June 2025, a Presidential Proclamation added ineligibility findings affecting Chinese visa applicants. Consular sections in China can only process about half the number of applications compared to last summer due to staffing limits imposed by the PRC government.

In 2025, the U.S. tightened visa rules for some countries by suspending visas for nationals of 19 countries due to security concerns, making the process more stringent.

China has expanded its visa-free entry policy through December 31, 2026, and introduced a new online application system with mandatory pre-flight electronic Arrival Cards.

On Jan. 21, 2026, the State Department indefinitely paused the issuance of all immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Barbados, pending a ‘comprehensive public charge review.’

These visa restrictions and travel bans are causing major problems for international business in the United States as of August 2025, making it harder for companies to bring in workers, hold meetings, and keep global projects on track.