Almost Impossible to Immigrate to the U.S. from These 10 Countries - Reflects on Paths for Asylum

Recently, the U.S. released its updated Visa Waiver Program list, excluding all 54 African nations while granting visa-free access to 40 countries from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, highlighting the ongoing disparities in U.S. immigration policy. Ironically the countries portrayed below are among those nations that have the harshest anti-Homosexuality laws and societal taboos, causing many to flee and seek asylum abroad. Refusals for any visa to the USA will reduce the likelihood of those seeking visas that get them access to US shore, where upon arrival and entry, they may seek asylum. Notably there is no such thing as an 'asylum visa'. Most who make it to the USA and who claim asylum have come into the country on any one of the visas mentioned, or crossed a Southern Border, through Mexico. Others would come in as refugees resettled through USRAP, which has been suspended by Trump. That said, the USA is less desirable as a country of safety and protection, given the last 100 days of the Trump regime turning into a chaotic scene of immigrant persecution. Here is the data from The Brooks Law Firm:

• The hardest country to immigrate to the U.S. from in 2025 is Rwanda, due to high visa refusal rates and limited Green Card allocations.

• African nations dominate the list of hardest countries to immigrate from, occupying eight of the top ten positions.

• High visa refusal rates present the most significant barrier, with countries like Senegal facing rejection rates of nearly 75%.
  

In response to that, Brooks Law Firm revealed the top ten hardest countries to immigrate from in 2025. The study analyzed multiple factors affecting immigration difficulty from various countries to the United States. Each nation received a final score based on four key metrics: B visa refusal rates (tourist/business visas), passport power (number of visa-free destinations), Green Cards issued per 100K citizens, and immigration-related online searches per 100K people. Higher scores indicate greater immigration challenges. Data was collected from official US government sources, passport indexes, and search analytics between January and March 2025.

Country	Refusal Rate ( B visa )	Passport Power	Green Cards per 100k people	Searches per 100k people	Final Score
Rwanda	55.76%	74	11	904	67.12
Algeria	50.72%	69	7	806	65.41
Guinea	70.25%	64	10	376	56.37
Burundi	65.52%	58	6	271	54.65
Senegal	74.65%	68	7	1,078	54.61
Uzbekistan	64.41%	77	14	483	53.63
Gambia	66.03%	74	37	664	48.72
Benin	61.49%	70	5	179	48.66
Uganda	47.29%	74	3	296	48.58
Kenya	63.32%	78	9	2,610	48.30

*See the full research along with all the metrics here.

Rwanda leads the ranking with a score of 67, facing substantial immigration barriers to the US. The country grapples with a 55.76% B visa refusal rate while receiving only 11 Green Cards per 100K citizens. Rwanda shows significant interest in US immigration with 904 searches per 100K people, indicating strong desire among citizens to relocate that contrasts sharply with the limited opportunities available.

Algeria places 2nd with a score of 65, characterized by its limited Green Card access at just 7. Algerian passport holders can access only 69 countries without a visa, limiting international mobility compared to other nations on the list. The country's B visa refusal rate stands at 50.72%, creating a substantial barrier for citizens seeking temporary US entry.

Guinea secures the 3rd position with a score of 56, facing one of the highest B visa refusal rates on the list at 70.25%. Guinean citizens have access to only 64 visa-free destinations, the second-lowest passport power among the top ten countries. The nation receives an adjusted rate of just 10 Green Cards, highlighting the significant challenges its citizens face when seeking permanent US residency.

Burundi occupies 4th place with a score of 54, with the weakest passport among the top ten nations, with access to only 58 countries visa-free. The country receives merely 6 Green Cards, the second-lowest rate on the list. Burundi's B visa refusal rate stands at 65.52%, creating a formidable barrier for citizens attempting to visit the US.

Senegal holds the 5th position as one of the hardest countries to immigrate from, distinguished by the highest B visa refusal rate among all the top ten countries at 74.65%. Senegalese citizens demonstrate a strong interest in US immigration, with 1,078 searches, the second-highest normalized search number on the list. The country receives only 7 Green Cards, similar to Algeria but with a significantly higher rejection rate for temporary visas.

Uzbekistan ranks 6th with a score of 53, standing as the only non-African nation in the top ten. Uzbekistani citizens benefit from relatively stronger passport power with access to 77 visa-free destinations, but face a 64.41% B visa refusal rate. The country receives 14 Green Cards per 100K people, the second-highest allocation among the top ten countries behind only Gambia.

Gambia stands in 7th place with a score of 48, receiving the highest number of Green Cards among the top ten at 37. This rate is more than three times that of most other countries on the list, providing a relative advantage for Gambian citizens. The nation still faces significant barriers with a 66.03% B visa refusal rate, contributing to its placement among the hardest countries to immigrate from.

Benin is the 8th hardest country to immigrate from, distinguished by receiving the fewest Green Cards at just 5, tied with Uganda for the lowest allocation. Beninese citizens also show the lowest interest in US immigration with only 179 searches, the smallest number of searches among all top ten countries. The nation's B visa refusal rate stands at 61.49%, creating substantial barriers for temporary US visits.

Uganda sits at 9th place with a score of 48.58, characterized by the lowest rate of Green Cards at just 3. Uganda has the lowest B visa refusal rate among the top ten at 47.29%, providing a relative advantage for citizens seeking temporary US entry. The country's passport allows access to 74 visa-free destinations, placing it in the upper tier of passport power among the hardest immigration countries.

Kenya completes the top ten, distinguished by the strongest passport power among all listed countries with access to 78 visa-free destinations. Kenyan citizens demonstrate an overwhelming interest in US immigration, with 2,610 searches, the highest number of searches by far among all countries studied. Arinda Brooks, Founding Attorney at Brooks Law Firm, commented on the study: “Immigration systems today work like one-way mirrors - fully transparent for some while remaining opaque barriers for others. When we see visa rejection rates consistently targeting specific regions, we're looking at systemic issues rather than individual application merits. Passport power has become the modern equivalent of inherited privilege, determining life opportunities from birth. The irony is that countries with the strongest economic need for mobility often face the highest barriers. This imbalance creates not just personal hardship but missed economic opportunities for destination countries that fail to access global talent pools. A more balanced approach to global mobility would recognize both security concerns and human potential.” I would add to this: - LGBTQI+ African asylum seekers are most vulnerable while least privileged when it comes to opportunities for pathways - this proves the point further! Melanie Nathan Executive Director African Human Rights Coalition

COUNTRY CONDITIONS EXPERT WITNESS

CONTACT: Melanie Nathan, B.A. LL.B  commissionermnathan@gmail.com

Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition is a qualified country of origin expert witness in the United States and global immigration courts, providing expert written country conditions  reports and testimony for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, non-binary, LGBTQI + asylum seekers from African Countries, to include those perceived as such,  activists, allies and human rights defenders.

Melanie also consults multinational corporations regarding briefings and policy for operations and issue impacted by anti-homosexuality laws and country conditions

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