On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department announced a significant policy change that will directly affect many healthcare organizations relying on international talent especially international registered nurses and other foreign healthcare professionals.
Under new guidance, the State Department will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are considered likely to require public assistance (“public charge”) after entering the United States. This marks another tightening of U.S. immigration rules and adds a new layer of complexity for hospitals, long-term care facilities, and healthcare staffing agencies that regularly sponsor foreign nurses.
At VisaMadeEZ, an immigration law firm focused on helping healthcare organizations hire international nurses, we’re closely monitoring these developments to help employers adapt and maintain staffing continuity.
What Did the State Department Announce?
The State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, has instructed U.S. consular officers worldwide to halt immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 specific countries. This is being done to implement a broader order issued in November aimed at restricting entry to those who may become a “public charge” in the United States.
Key points of the announcement:
- Immigrant visa processing will be paused for affected countries starting January 21.
- The suspension applies to those seeking immigrant visas (i.e., permanent residence pathways such as employment-based immigrant visas).
- The suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visas, including temporary visitor, tourist, or business visas.
- The State Department’s stated rationale is to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who might rely on U.S. welfare programs or public benefits.
The government’s statement characterized this change as an effort to stop the “abuse of America’s immigration system” and to ensure that immigrants are financially self-sufficient.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The State Department has indicated that the list includes Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan, along with multiple countries in Africa. While the full list has not yet been publicly detailed in the announcement, it affects 75 countries whose nationals are perceived as more likely to become public charges.
For healthcare employers, this means:
- If your organization sponsors nurses from any of the listed countries for immigrant visas (such as EB-3 immigrant visas for nurses), those cases could be delayed or temporarily halted.
- Recruitment pipelines focused heavily on affected regions may face disruption in international nurse staffing for the foreseeable future.
This suspension comes on top of already stringent visa policies, as the current administration has previously restricted both immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of several countries, many of them in Africa.
What Is a “Public Charge” and Why Does It Matter?
The concept of a “public charge” in U.S. immigration law refers to a person who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence through cash assistance or long-term institutional care at government expense.
Recent policy changes have expanded the scrutiny on:
- Use of certain public benefits,
- Income and financial stability,
- Education, skills, and employment prospects.
For employers in the healthcare sector who sponsor international registered nurses, this means that the financial and employment documentation submitted in support of immigrant visas is more important than ever. A strong, clear employment offer from a U.S. healthcare facility can be critical in demonstrating that the nurse is unlikely to depend on public assistance.
How Does This Affect Healthcare Employers and International Nurses?
Healthcare organizations across the United States have long relied on international nurses to fill chronic staffing gaps particularly in underserved areas, long-term care, and specialized units. The new suspension on immigrant visas for certain countries presents several immediate challenges:
1. Disrupted Recruitment Pipelines
Employers who currently sponsor nurses from the affected countries may see immigrant visa cases delayed, paused, or suspended, jeopardizing onboarding timelines and staffing plans.
2. Increased Reliance on Other Visa Categories
Because non-immigrant visas are not covered by this suspension, some employers may look at alternative visa strategies where feasible, such as temporary work visas (where applicable), training visas, or other lawful non-immigrant options. However, not every nurse or position qualifies for these alternatives.
3. Longer Staffing Gaps
Hospitals and long-term care facilities already struggling with nurse shortages may face extended vacancies if their primary recruitment markets are heavily impacted by the new rules.
4. Heightened Scrutiny of Financial and Support Evidence
With the State Department emphasizing public charge concerns, consular officers may more closely scrutinize whether foreign nurses and their families will be financially stable and self-sufficient in the U.S. Robust employer documentation will be crucial.
What Can Healthcare Organizations Do Now?
While the policy landscape is shifting, healthcare employers are not without options. Here are concrete steps your organization can take:
1. Review Your Current International Nurse Pipeline
- Identify all pending immigrant visa cases involving candidates from the 75 affected countries.
- Work with immigration counsel to assess whether those cases are likely to be impacted immediately once the suspension takes effect on January 21.
- Prepare internal contingency plans for critical roles at risk of going unfilled.
2. Strengthen Public Charge–Related Evidence
Even for nurses from countries not on the suspension list or once the pause is lifted employers should proactively bolster the record to show that each international nurse is financially supported and employable, such as:
- Clear and detailed job offers (salary, benefits, location, and job duties),
- Evidence of prevailing wage compliance,
- Employer financial strength (e.g., annual reports, proof of operational stability),
- Documentation of the nurse’s education, licensing, and professional experience.
This type of evidence can help mitigate public charge concerns and demonstrate that the nurse is an asset to the U.S. healthcare system rather than a financial burden.
3. Diversify Recruitment Sources
With some countries affected by the visa suspension, it may be wise to:
- Diversify your international recruitment strategy to include countries not covered by the current restrictions,
- Explore partnerships with nursing schools and training programs in regions with more stable visa processing,
- Consider blended strategies combining domestic hiring, travel nurses, and international nurses from a broader range of countries.
4. Stay Informed and Work with Specialized Immigration Counsel
Immigration policies are changing rapidly. Partnering with an immigration law firm that specializes in healthcare immigration and international nurse recruitment can help you:
- Track new State Department and Department of Homeland Security guidance,
- Adjust case strategies in real time,
- Avoid unnecessary delays caused by incomplete or outdated documentation,
- Maintain compliance while continuing to meet patient care needs.
At VisaMadeEZ, our attorneys focus on employment-based immigration for nurses and healthcare professionals. We help hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities navigate complex immigration rules, including public charge issues, consular processing, and immigrant visa strategy.
How VisaMadeEZ Supports Healthcare Employers Amid Policy Changes
VisaMadeEZ was built around one mission: making it easier for U.S. healthcare organizations to hire and retain international nurses in a compliant, predictable way even as immigration rules become more restrictive.
Our services for healthcare employers include:
- Strategic planning for nurse immigration programs, including EB-3 and other employment-based immigrant visas,
- Guidance on public charge–related documentation to minimize visa denials and delays,
- Case management from labor certification (if required) through consular processing and U.S. admission,
- Support for international nurse licensure, timing, and credentialing as it intersects with immigration timelines,
- Ongoing compliance and policy updates tailored to your organization’s staffing needs.
We understand how critical timely onboarding is in a healthcare setting, and we tailor immigration strategies to align with your operational and patient-care priorities.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for an Evolving Immigration Landscape
The current administration has already implemented multiple restrictions on immigrant and non-immigrant visas, many of which disproportionately affect African nations and other regions that supply a significant share of the global nursing workforce. The latest suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries is part of this broader trend.
For healthcare employers, the takeaway is clear:
- Immigration risk management is now a core part of workforce planning.
- Employers who proactively adapt strengthening documentation, diversifying recruitment, and partnering with specialized immigration counsel will be better positioned to maintain adequate staffing.
- International nurses will likely face more complex consular interviews and higher evidentiary burdens, making experienced legal guidance increasingly important.
Need Help With International Nurse Visa Strategy?
If your healthcare organization currently sponsors international nurses or is considering launching or expanding an international nurse recruitment program now is the time to review your immigration strategy.
VisaMadeEZ can help you:
- Evaluate how the new immigrant visa suspension may affect your current and future hiring,
- Identify alternate pathways or adjusted strategies for affected candidates,
- Build a more resilient, compliant international nurse recruitment program.
To discuss how these changes may impact your facility and your international nursing pipeline, contact VisaMadeEZ today for a consultation. We’re here to help you navigate U.S. immigration law so you can focus on what matters most: delivering quality patient care.
