US visa suspension excludes B1, B2 categories – Victor Smith

Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Emmanuel Victor Smith, has clarified the scope of the temporary suspension announced by American authorities.

He stated that the measure does not apply to non-immigrant visas issued to Ghanaians.

The clarification addresses widespread uncertainty that emerged after the US government disclosed plans to temporarily halt immigrant visa processing for citizens of several countries. Ghana is among the 75 nations named in the directive, alongside Nigeria and others across different regions of the world.

According to Ambassador Smith, the policy has been misunderstood in some quarters, particularly by individuals planning short-term travel to the United States. He explained that visa categories used for business and tourism purposes, specifically B1 and B2 visas, are not affected by the suspension and remain available to Ghanaian applicants.

The US government’s decision, which is linked to a review of visa screening systems, is grounded in the application of the long-standing “public charge” rules. These rules are used to assess immigrant visa applicants based on whether they are likely to become dependent on public welfare systems in the United States.

Information released by the US State Department indicates that the temporary halt will take effect on January 21. The pause has no specified end date and will remain in place while consular officers reassess evaluation methods used during immigrant visa processing.

Ambassador Smith provided further clarification in a public statement issued on Thursday, January 15, 2026. In that communication, he stressed that the directive issued by the US authorities is limited in scope and does not cover non-immigrant travel documentation.

He stated that confirmation from the US State Department shows that applications for B1 and B2 visas will continue to be processed. According to him, only immigrant visas are subject to the temporary pause currently under review.

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

The list of countries affected by the suspension includes nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Those named include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, and Yemen.

The ambassador’s clarification is expected to reduce confusion among Ghanaians seeking to travel to the United States for short stays, as it clearly distinguishes between immigrant visas and non-immigrant visa categories.