U.S. Department of State Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance to Nationals of 75 Countries

Julie Solis-Alvarado

January 21, 2026 | Immigration | Press Release

On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that it is pausing immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries (listed below), beginning on January 21, 2026. This new policy affects not only future immigrant visas from being adjudicated but impacts currently pending cases as well. At this time, many details remain unclear about the pause, but here is what we know:

Who Is Affected:

Currently, only individuals applying for an immigrant visa outside the United States through a U.S. consulate abroad are affected. This includes:

• Family Based Visas: Spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens (IR/CR categories) and F-1, F-2, F-3, and F-4 preference categories.
• Employment-Based Visas: Preference categories of EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 that are processed through a U.S. consulate abroad.
•  Diversity Visa Lottery: Those from the 75 countries listed below who had previously been selected will have a difficult time getting their visas issued before the end of the fiscal year.

As of this writing, immigrant petitions filed in the United States (Forms I-130, I-140, or I-360) and applications for permanent residence through the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process (Form I-485) via United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to be processed. However, we may see an increase in scrutiny of Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, leading to processing delays and the issuance of more Requests for Evidence (RFEs) for nationals of the 75 countries listed below filing AOS applications while within the United States.

Who Isn’t Affected:

Applicants for nonimmigrant visas. Visas issued for temporary purposes such as tourism, work, or study are not affected. This includes:

• Visitor Visas: B-1/B-2 visas for tourism or business.
• Student Visas: F-1 visas for academic studies.
• Work Visas: E, H, J, L, O, and R visas for temporary work.

Which Countries Are Included:

Per the latest DOS guidance, the pause in immigrant visa issuance applies to nationals of the following countries:

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Azerbaijan Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belize Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Burma (Myanmar) Cambodia Cameroon Cape Verde Colombia Côte 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 North Macedonia Moldova Mongolia Montenegro

Morocco Nepal Nicaragua Nigeria 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 Yemen

 

Are There Any Exemptions?

Yes. Those from one of the 75 countries may still be eligible for visa issuance if they fall into one of the following categories:

• Immigrant Visa Interviews Already Scheduled: Those with immigrant visa interviews that were scheduled prior to January 21, 2026, should still attend their interviews. They may still be issued immigrant visas.
• Dual Nationals: If someone has been issued a passport from a country that is not on the 75-country list, they may be able to apply for an immigrant visa using that second nationality.
• National Interest Waivers: If someone’s entry is deemed vital to U.S. interests, a National Interest Waiver (NIW) may be possible.

 

Concerned with how this policy change could potentially affect you, your family, or your business?

Read about our Immigration Law department and contact an attorney here.