In a new change to U.S. consular policy, the State Department has announced it will indefinitely pause immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries (see listed countries below), while it establishes a process for determining whether applicants are likely to become financially dependent on the U.S. government (also known as public charge).
The agency initially announced the news on social media and later published official guidance on the State Department website.
Under this new suspension—effective January 21, 2026—U.S. consular posts overseas will not issue immigrant visas (including family- and employment-based green cards) for applicants from the listed countries until the public charge policy is implemented. Applicants from these countries may still submit applications and attend interviews, but visas cannot be printed and issued during the pause.
Many of the affected nations are already subject to full or partial travel bans, meaning the practical impact may be limited for some applicants. Dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not on the list are exempt from the suspension.
The reason behind this policy shift is a renewed focus on the statutory “public charge” ground of inadmissibility, which allows visa refusal when an applicant is deemed likely to depend on U.S. government financial assistance in the future. The reassessment follows updated internal guidance that broadens the factors consular officers consider—including health, age, education, employment prospects, and financial stability—in evaluating public charge risk.
It remains unclear how long the suspension will last or how the public charge review process will ultimately change. Immigrant visa applicants from the affected countries should monitor communications from the State Department and prepare for potential delays in visa issuance.
Listed Countries
The immigrant visa suspension applies to nationals of the following 75 countries:
Afghanistan*, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda**, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma*, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire**, Cuba**, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica**, Egypt, Eritrea*, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia**, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti*, Iran*, Iraq, 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 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*.
*Currently included on full travel ban list
**Currently included on partial travel ban list
Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen to immigrant visa interview appointments?
Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews. The Department of State will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause.
Are there any exceptions?
Dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country that is not listed above are exempt from this pause.
As with other travel bans, national interest exemptions are available, but in very limited circumstances.
Does this affect my current valid visa?
Existing immigrant visas have not been revoked as part of this guidance.
Does this apply to tourist visas?
No, this pause is specifically for immigrant visa applicants. Immigrant visa applicants are those who are residing outside of the United States and applying for permanent residence at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
Tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas, and are not subject to this policy.
The Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick is carefully monitoring the implementation of this new State Department policy and any related policy changes at the State Department and will provide further information as it becomes available.
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