Visa Frozen, Pakistan and Thailand Ask the US for Clarification

Flight (photo: dok. Antara)

JAKARTA - Pakistan and Thailand, Thursday, January 15, asked for further explanation to Washington after the United States (US) stated that it would suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens from 75 countries, including the two countries.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, said Islamabad was in communication with US authorities to obtain further clarity on the policy.

"Basically, it is a brief statement from the US State Department on their social media account about the internal review of the immigrant visa processing they are doing," he said, quoting Antara.

The US State Department on Wednesday said it was suspending the processing of immigrant visas for citizens from 75 countries.

In a statement on the social media platform X, the department said the suspension would remain in place until the US could ensure that new immigrants would not take away the wealth of the American people.

Andrabi said he was still following the development of the matter and considered the policy as part of the internal review process of the US immigration system and policy. He hopes that the processing of immigrant visas can return to normal in the near future.

"We understand that this is an ongoing internal process to review US immigration policies and systems, and hope that the regular processing of immigrant visas will resume soon," he said.

According to a US State Department diplomatic cable reported by The Guardian newspaper, Pakistan and Thailand are on the list of affected countries.

On the same day, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow also asked Washington to provide clarification regarding restrictions on immigrant visas for Thais.

Sihasak discussed the issue with the US Embassy in Bangkok and asked for an official explanation, according to a report by the Thai News Agency, TNA.

The US envoy said the policy only applies to immigrant visas for individuals who want to settle long-term, work permanently, or obtain citizenship, and does not affect non-immigrant visas granted to tourists, business people, and students.

Sihasak expressed concern and discomfort over the policy, assessing that the comprehensive approach was unfair and did not reflect the facts about Thailand.

He warned that the move could send a negative signal to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The Thai Foreign Ministry, he continued, will monitor the development of the situation carefully while waiting for further explanations from Washington.