US visa restrictions target 14 countries including India - Here’s why
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on September 28, saying Washington would act against people “responsible for, or complicit in” blocking the prompt resolution of such cases. The move is linked to the US government’s efforts to encourage countries to follow laws, court orders and other measures related to the return of children.
14 countries named by the US
The US Department of State identified 14 countries as showing a “pattern of noncompliance” in international child-abduction cases. The countries are:
1. Argentina
2. Bahamas
3. Belize
4. Brazil
5. Ecuador
6. Egypt
7. Honduras
8. India
9. Jordan
10. Peru
11. Poland
12. Republic of Korea
13. Serbia
14. United Arab Emirates
Egypt is the only African country included on the list. The US State Department’s 2026 Annual Report on International Child Abduction covers cases handled during 2025.
India and Egypt face continued scrutiny
The report highlights unresolved cases involving India and Egypt, with India having 90 unresolved cases involving 103 children at the end of 2025, according to the supplied report details. About 71% of the India-related cases had remained open for more than one year, while India is not a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.
Egypt has appeared repeatedly in US reports on international child abduction. The 2026 report says Egypt was cited for a “pattern of noncompliance” in 2015, 2016 and every year from 2019 through 2025, with 18 cases involving 30 children still open at the end of 2025.
What the new policy means for Pakistan
The new restrictions are being imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. The State Department has also said Washington could use additional measures under the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act if cooperation does not improve.
Pakistan is not among the 14 countries named in the latest report. The US State Department’s current list shows Pakistan as a Hague Convention treaty partner, with the convention taking effect for Pakistan in October 2020.
The new US policy focuses on individual officials linked to delays in international parental child-abduction cases. It does not announce a general visa ban on citizens of the 14 countries.
The measure is aimed at increasing pressure on officials and governments to cooperate in resolving these cases. Pakistan’s absence from the 14-country list is also notable because the US currently lists Pakistan as a Hague Convention treaty partner.
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