The United States has suspended visa approvals for 75 countries, including Ghana.

       According to a report by "City News Network" on January 14, the United States announced that it will stop the immigrant visa procedures for 75 countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, on January 21 for visa reviews based on its long - implemented "public charge" rule. The affected countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Thailand, and Yemen, spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.

      The "public charge" clause allows the US authorities to deny immigrant visas based on factors such as the applicant's age, health, economic ability, English proficiency, family support system, and whether they need long - term care or public assistance. Analysts pointed out that the US visa suspension decision this time only targets immigrant visas and will not affect non - immigrant visas such as student, tourist, and business visas. It will also not change the existing trade and diplomatic relations between the United States and the affected countries. For Ghana, this measure comes against the backdrop of a stable bilateral economic relationship between the United States and Ghana. Recently, the United States also plans to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for three years and reaffirms the importance of Ghana as its trusted trade and investment partner.

       For Ghana, although this visa suspension may cause concerns among immigrants, US officials emphasized that once the new review measures are finally determined, this ban on Ghana can be lifted. (Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Ghana)