The United States has introduced a new visa restriction policy that will stop suspected cybercriminals and their immediate family members from entering the country.
The decision is part of a wider effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to tackle online fraud and other cyber-related crimes after Americans reportedly lost at least $10 billion to investment scams in 2024.
The policy was announced on July 24 by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
It gives the U.S. government the power to deny visas to foreign nationals believed to have taken part in cybercrime or supported cyber-enabled criminal activities.
The restriction also covers close family members of those accused of being involved.
The new measure is based on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.
It follows President Trump’s Executive Order 14390, which directed federal agencies to increase efforts against international cybercrime networks and online schemes targeting American citizens.
According to the U.S. State Department, online investment scams, widely known as “pig butchering” schemes, have become one of the biggest threats facing Americans.
The department said victims in the United States lost at least $10 billion to these scams in 2024.
It also noted that online sextortion cases involving American children have continued to increase, with many of the crimes being carried out from outside the country.
U.S. officials said several of these criminal operations are linked to transnational crime groups, including organizations accused of money laundering, corruption and human trafficking.
However, the government did not name any specific countries in its announcement, noting that the networks operate across different parts of the world.
The visa restrictions will apply to people involved in investment fraud, cyberscams, sextortion and other forms of cyber-enabled crime.
Beyond denying visas, the United States said it will continue using other methods to fight the networks.
These include economic sanctions, criminal prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition requests and stronger cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
