Wrote: Etrit Rexhepi
A recent decision by the United States of America (US) to temporarily suspend immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Kosovo, has been reported by Albanian-language media. The measure only applies to immigrant visas and does not affect tourist or existing visas. However, the way the news was reported by some media outlets has created confusion and different interpretations in the public opinion, especially due to headlines that do not clearly explain the nature of the decision.
What did the US decide?
The US has received a DECISION, which suspends visa processing for migrants from 75 countries, including Kosovo.
"The State Department will pause the processing of immigrant visas for 75 countries whose immigrants receive unacceptable levels of welfare benefits from the American people. This ban will remain in effect until the United States is satisfied that new immigrants will not take advantage of the American people,” wrote the US Department of State (DASH) in “X” (see here).
Due to Kosovo's involvement in this decision, the news was also reported by Albanian-language media in Kosovo.
How did the media in Kosovo report?
In a large number of articles written about the decision, the text referred to a content of the medium "Fox News Digital" entitled "The US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran"or in Albanian"US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran".
Some of the articles where the American media was quoted were published by "Periscope.com","VoxKosova.com","KlanKosova.tv","GazetaMetro.net","Signal.com","Nacionale.com", and "GazetaExpress.com"
In the news headlines of "KlanKosova.tv" and "GazetaExpress.com", the information is presented as a quote from "FoxNews", with the difference that in the headline of "KlanKosova.tv" it is clarified that it is about immigrant visas.
"Periskopi.com", "Sinjali.com" and "Nacionale.com" appear to have translated the established title of "FoxNews.com" in their articles, including Kosovo.
While the headlines "GazetaMetro.net" and "VoxKosova.com" have put something different.
In addition to citing "FoxNews.com", hibrid.info found content from other media, where the DASh announcement was used as a source (see here and here).
By singling out just one CONTENT another published by "GazetaMetro.com", with the title "No more visas: Kosovars get slapped by America, half of them live on welfare", where the decision is interpreted as a blow to Kosovo citizens, in general, all these articles within the text have correctly reported the decision, emphasizing that it is a suspension of migrant visas by the US for 75 countries, including Kosovo. However, differences are observed in the headlines, where in some of them it is not clarified that it is a suspension of migrant visas and leaves the possibility that it is interpreted as a suspension of all types of visas.
Clarified decision of the State Administrative Court:
According to documents of the DASh decision, starting January 21, 2026, the issuance of immigrant visas has been temporarily suspended for citizens of 75 countries, due to the review of policies aimed at preventing the use of public assistance for immigrants.
Applicants from these countries may apply and participate in interviews, but will not be issued an immigrant visa during the suspension period.
Excluded from this decision are persons with dual citizenship who apply with a passport of a country that is not on the list.
Existing visas are not canceled, and this decision does not apply to tourist visas, as they are non-immigrant visas.
Non-immigrant visas also include study, business, and employment visas (see here).
Some Albanian-language media have also published articles explaining the decision (see here, here and here). In the "AlbanianPost" article, the clarification is justified by the headlines of the articles analyzed above, which according to their content suggested that the US administration has suspended the visa process for Kosovo citizens, creating the impression that Kosovars will lose the opportunity to request a visa to travel to the US.
Why was the decision made?
According to "Radio Free Europe", US President Donald Trump had said that a very high percentage of foreigners who have moved to the US, through immigration visas, do not work, but depend on American social assistance.
The text says that he does not want foreigners who intend to immigrate to the US to become a burden on public money and state aid.
According to a list published by Trump on social media on January 4, 46 percent of Kosovo citizens who have come to the US on an immigrant visa receive social assistance from the US government.
In conclusion, despite the reporting of some media in Kosovo, especially through unclear headlines, which may have created confusion and the wrong impression, the US decision does not imply a general visa ban or a political decision against Kosovo citizens, but a temporary suspension only for immigrant visas, as part of a review of policies to prevent the use of public assistance for immigrants.