U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries — What You Need to Know

Geofrey M. Law
Jan 14
3 min read

Effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. State Department has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries. This is a major development in U.S. immigration policy and affects many families and employment-based applicants around the world.

What Exactly Is Happening?

The State Department has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt decisions on immigrant visa applications (green cards issued abroad) for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026. The pause is indefinite — there is no official end date yet.

This affects immigrant visas only — not non-immigrant visas (such as tourist, business, student, exchange, or temporary work visas). Those temporary visas continue to be issued, although screening may be enhanced.

Who Is Affected?

The suspension applies to immigrant visas — the visas that allow foreign nationals to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders) — for citizens of the following countries (list from media reports):

(Selected examples — full list below) Afghanistan; Brazil; Iran; Russia; Nigeria; Somalia; Thailand…plus many others from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

Full list (75 countries): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua & Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo (Republic of), Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

Who Is Not Affected?

Non-immigrant visa applicants — including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F-1/M-1 (student/vocational), H, L, O, P, J, and other temporary visas — are not included in this suspension.
Applicants from countries not on the 75-country list continue to have their immigrant visas processed as before.
U.S. citizens and Green Card holders in the U.S. petitioning for relatives — the suspension affects visa consular processing but does not directly revoke existing green cards or visas already issued.

Why Is the U.S. Doing This?

The administration says the suspension is part of an effort to curb the entry of foreign nationals whom it deems likely to become a “public charge” — meaning individuals who might rely on U.S. government public assistance or welfare benefits. Officials describe this as enforcement of public-charge rules and a reassessment of how consular officers screen immigrant visa applicants.

While the U.S. has long-standing laws allowing denial of visas to applicants who are likely to rely on public benefits, this action significantly expands the practical effect by pausing green card processing for whole countries at once.

What This Means for Individuals & Families

➡️ Family-based immigrants from the affected countries may see indefinite delays in consular processing (such as CR-1, IR-1, F2A, family petitions tied to spouses/children).

➡️ Employment-based immigrants also are impacted — applicants abroad waiting for visas like EB-2/EB-3 will have their cases paused at consulates.

➡️ If your case has already been approved by USCIS but the visa has not yet been printed or issued by a consulate, it likely will not move forward until the pause is lifted.

Key Takeaways

This is a pause on immigrant visa processing, not a complete travel ban. Non-immigrant visas are not suspended. The 75-country list includes a broad range of nations across multiple continents. The rationale given by officials centers on public-charge concerns.

This policy change is serious — but it does not mean your case is hopeless. If you or your loved one may be affected by the immigrant visa suspension, now is the time to get accurate legal guidance. Immigration laws are complex, and your options depend on your specific facts.

Contact our office today for a confidential consultation to understand: