Every week lately continues to have new immigration policy changes, and the latest impacts a very large swath of countries.
Starting January 21, 2026, the U.S. paused the processing and issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. This pause applies to visas that allow someone to move permanently to the United States — such as family-based and employment-based immigrant visas — but does not apply to temporary visas like student, tourist, or business visas.
This news is reason for confusion and concern for many people who have been waiting years for immigrant visas. While the Trump administration has laid out why the pause has been put in place, it has not given an end date for the pause.
The Trump administration says the pause is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration standards and enforce public charge protections. In the announcement of the 75-nation visa pause, the State Department announced that “immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans,” and stated that “The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.”
Under U.S. law, visa officers must consider whether someone is likely to become a “public charge” — meaning determining whether they will depend on government programs for basic living expenses. The administration has expanded the way this rule is applied, giving consular officers more discretion to deny visas based on financial stability and the chance someone might need public assistance.
Immigrant visa processing for the 75 countries will be paused “while the State Department reassesses immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Who Is Affected?
The policy affects immigrant visa applicants from the following 75 countries:
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.
People from these countries who are seeking to become lawful permanent residents abroad — usually at a U.S. embassy or consulate — will find that the final visa issuance step is currently on hold. This means even if the application is approved, the visa may not be issued until the pause is lifted or policies change.
Importantly:
- Short-term visas, like student (F-1) and tourist (B-2) visas, continue to be processed normally.
- People already in the U.S. with valid immigrant visas or lawful status are not affected by this pause.
- Dual citizens who use a passport from a country not on the list are generally not subject to the pause.
This pause represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. It could remain in effect for many months, and might be challenged in court. Families and applicants are encouraged to stay informed and speak with an immigration attorney about their individual cases.
