US proposed new visa rules for 6 Muslim nations

The US is set to implement some set of new criteria for visa applicants from six majority- Muslim nations and all refugees that require a person with a close relationship with a family member or business in the U.S. to be eligible to be admitted to the United States.

The move came on Wednesday after the US Supreme Court partially lifted lower court injunctions against President Donald Trump's executive order that was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims.

According to a report by Reuter, visas that have already been approved will not be revoked, but instructions issued by the State Department say that new applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling already in the US to be eligible.

The same requirement, with some exceptions, holds for would-be refugees from all nations that are still awaiting approval for admission to the US.

According to the guidelines that were issued in a cable sent to all US embassies and consulates on Wednesday, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-laws and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships.

The new rules take effect on Thursday, according to the cable, which was obtained by The Associated Press.