The United States government has introduced a new visa restriction policy that could affect not only individuals involved in cybercrime but also their immediate family members.
The announcement was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement released on July 23, 2026.
According to him, the policy forms part of the US government’s efforts to crack down on cyber-enabled crimes, including online scams and sextortion schemes that have targeted American citizens.
The new measure is being enforced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
It allows the US government to deny visas to people who are directly responsible for or who knowingly assist in cybercriminal activities.
In addition, spouses, children and other immediate family members of such individuals may also be denied entry into the United States.
The policy follows President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14390, which focuses on combating cybercrime, fraud and other online schemes that exploit victims.
The US administration described online investment fraud as one of the biggest cyber threats facing the country.
According to the State Department, American citizens lost at least $10 billion to online investment scams in 2024.
The government alleged that many of these fraudulent operations are coordinated by Chinese transnational criminal organisations, which are also linked to crimes such as money laundering, corruption and human trafficking.
The statement further noted that children in the United States have increasingly become victims of sextortion scams operated by criminals outside the country.
These crimes involve blackmail using explicit images or videos and have had devastating emotional and financial consequences for many families.
Secretary Rubio said the US government is determined to dismantle criminal cyber networks using every available legal tool.
These include visa restrictions, economic sanctions, criminal prosecutions, asset seizures, extradition requests and stronger cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
He stressed that the new visa policy sends a strong warning to those involved in cybercrime or those who support such activities.
According to Rubio, the United States remains committed to pursuing individuals who exploit and defraud American citizens, while ensuring that those who facilitate these criminal operations also face serious consequences.
