U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026
2 February 2026
The New York Times reports that a lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. Department of State seeking to block the immigrant visa ban. The policy was put in place in January 2026 because the State Department alleged it was necessary to prevent the migration of people who could become public charges, taking advantage of government financial support programs and welfare. The lawsuit was filed on February 2, 2026, in federal court by the National Immigration Law Center and several other organizations.
14 January 2026
On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced that it will pause the issuance of immigrant visas for individuals who are nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026.
This pause applies to immigrant visa applicants seeking lawful permanent residence (green cards) through a U.S. consulate abroad.
Nationals of the following countries are affected by this pause:
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
Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may continue to submit immigrant visa applications and attend scheduled interviews at U.S. consulates; however, no immigrant visas will be issued to these individuals during the pause. The Department of State has confirmed that immigrant visas already issued will not be revoked.
Individuals who hold dual nationality and apply using a valid passport from a country not listed above are exempt from this pause.
The Department of State has stated that the pause will remain in effect for an indefinite period while U.S. government agencies re-evaluate screening procedures related to the public charge ground of inadmissibility.
Impact on International Students and Scholars
Only immigrant visa applications by applicants applying at a U.S. consulate are impacted, meaning that the processing of temporary visas, as well as applications processed by USCIS within the United States, are unaffected. However, note that related Department of State policies, such as the December 16, 2025, Presidential Proclamation (PP) 10998, suspending visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries, may still apply depending on an individual’s country of birth or citizenship.
International students and scholars who are nationals of one of the affected countries and who are pursuing, or plan to pursue, immigrant visa processing at a U.S. Consulate abroad (commonly known as “consular processing”) may experience significant delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence.
Individuals currently in the United States who intend to apply for permanent residence through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through a process commonly known as “adjustment of status” are not directly affected by this U.S. Department of State pause. However, related USCIS policies, such as the January 1, 2026 policy pausing USCIS adjudications, may still apply depending on an individual’s country of birth or citizenship.
Students and scholars who may be affected by this policy are encouraged to consult with their school’s Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) before making international travel plans or taking steps toward immigrant visa processing. Depending on individual circumstances, consultation with an experienced immigration attorney may also be advisable.
