Khaberni - The spokesperson for the US Embassy in Kuwait, Stuart Turner, confirmed that the US State Department's decision to suspend the issuance of all immigrant visas for nationals from 72 countries, including Kuwait, starting from January 21, 2026, does not include non-immigrant visas, including tourist visas and other visa categories.
Turner explained that applicants from the countries included in the decision can continue to submit their applications and attend scheduled interviews, but visas will not be issued during the suspension period, according to Al-Qabas.
He added: Kuwaitis can apply for tourist visas and others excluding immigration applications.
Turner added that there are exceptions including dual nationals who use a valid passport from a country not listed, from this temporary measure.
He also confirmed that existing immigrant visas have not been canceled, and for any inquiries related to entry to the United States, it is advisable to contact the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
He explained that the purpose of this measure is to ensure that migrants are financially self-sufficient and to prevent any potential burden on the social system in the United States, indicating that the US State Department is conducting a comprehensive review of policies and guidelines to ensure effective implementation of this measure on the listed countries.
It is mentioned that the countries included in the US State Department's decision to suspend issuing immigration visas include 72 countries, among them Kuwait, which are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Cuba, 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, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, 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, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
