The visa pauses, announced by the U.S. State Department and set to take effect on January 21, 2026, affects immigrant visa applicants from 75 countries, including Liberia. Within weeks, citizens of all three A3 countries found themselves among those affected by Washington's immigrant visa pause. Interviews for immigrant visas will continue, but final issuance is paused pending new U.S. guidelines. On the other hand, Liberia's inclusion in the immigrant visa pause underscores the fragility of gains made on one front when geopolitical tensions rise on another. Whether the visa pause will be short-lived or evolve into a more enduring restriction remains unclear.

Source: Daily Observer January 16, 2026 00:20 UTC