Published: January 16, 2026
News Alert: Pause on Immigrant Visas for 75 countries
Article written by Immigration Attorney Danja Higuera.
On January 14, 2026, the government announced that effective January 21, 2026, it will suspend the immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries. The stated reason for this pause is that the administration believes nationals from these countries are “extracting wealth from American people” and the pause is necessary for the State Department to reassess its procedures “to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.” Note that immigration law already includes rules and procedures to prevent that new immigrants become a public charge. However, the administration has determined that these rules must be reevaluated. No timeline has been given for the length of the pause.
Which countries are affected?
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.
Are visitor visas affected?
No, visitor visas or any other nonimmigrant visas are not affected. This rule pertains only to immigrant visas (to request permanent residence in the United States). There may be one exception for the Nonimmigrant K-1 fiancée visa as these visas are processed by the immigrant visa units, but we have no specific information on this yet.
Is adjustment of status affected?
No, this rule was announced by the State Department and only affects applications for immigrant visas at
consulates abroad. Adjustment of status if filed within the United States at the US Citizenship and
Immigration Service (USCIS). So far, USCIS has not commented on this new rule. Stay tuned as this may
change in the future.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes, as with other bans, a national interest exemption appears to apply, likely in very limited cases.
Are visas that are already issued still valid?
So far, no valid visas have been revoked. However, if a visa was approved but not printed, it will not be printed. If the visa was printed but not sent to the applicant, it will be cancelled.
This news alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions about your specific situation, feel free to contact us by filling out a service request form so we can put you in touch with an immigration attorney like Danja Higuera to answer your questions.
