US embassy in Baku confirms non-immigrant visa services continue

The U.S. Embassy in Baku has confirmed that it continues to accept applications for non-immigrant visas, despite recent reports suggesting otherwise.

“We have noticed articles in local media claiming that the United States is suspending all visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Azerbaijan,” the Embassy said on X. 

“This information is misleading, as the current pause applies only to immigrant (permanent residence) visa categories and does not affect legitimate non-immigrant visa applicants such as tourists, business travellers, students and exchange visitors. Non-immigrant visas continue to be processed at the U.S. Embassy in Baku.”

The clarification comes amid growing concern in Azerbaijan following reports of a broader visa suspension affecting multiple countries. The Embassy stressed that normal services for non-immigrant visa applicants remain operational.

The Trump administration has indefinitely suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, in one of its broadest moves yet to restrict legal migration to the United States.

The freeze, which takes effect on January 21, targets applicants officials believe are likely to become a “public charge” – relying on government benefits for basic needs.

A State Department cable shows that the measure spans every major region, affecting countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

Exceptions include dual nationals holding passports from countries not on the list, or applicants whose travel is deemed in the national interest. Approved visas that have not yet been printed must now be refused by consular officers.

The full list of affected countries is as follows:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The 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, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

By Aghakazim Guliyev