U.S. Department of State Suspending Visa Processing for 75 Countries

On January 14, the U.S. Department of State announced that U.S. embassies and consulates will stop issuing immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. Currently, only immigrant visas (for permanent residence) are affected. This suspension does not include nonimmigrant visas, such as temporary employment visas or tourist visas. 

At this time, this does not affect individuals with applications pending with USCIS, such as extensions of status or adjustment of status (green card) applications filed in the United States. 

What if I have a pending application before a U.S. consulate or embassy? 

The Department has stated that consulates will still accept new immigrant visa applications and may continue to schedule immigrant visa interviews. However, during the suspension, no new immigrant visas will be issued to nationals of the listed countries. 

This announcement does not affect immigrant visas that have already been approved and issued. 

Which countries are affected? 

The affected countries include: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. 

Exception: Dual nationals who are applying with a valid passport from a second country that is not on the list may still be issued a new immigrant visa. 

Based on information from the U.S. Department of State, this appears to be a pause in immigrant visa issuance rather than an outright travel ban. The stated purpose of the pause is to provide consular officers with new training on enhanced vetting procedures for immigrant visas. At this time, it is not clear how long the suspension will last. 

Going forward, public charge assessments are expected to receive heightened scrutiny by consular officers. Public charge considerations have long been part of immigrant visa adjudications, and may also arise in certain nonimmigrant visa contexts.