- Immigrant Visa Focus: The suspension specifically targets those seeking permanent residency, such as green cards, rather than short-term visitors or students.
- Public Charge Scrutiny: Consular officers are now using expanded criteria to evaluate an applicant’s likelihood of relying on government welfare programs.
- Indefinite Timeline: The U.S. government has not provided a specific date for when the processing freeze will be lifted or modified.
- Geographic Scope: The policy impacts 75 diverse nations, including major partners in the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
The United States State Department has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. This directive, following a broader immigration strategy, aims to prevent the entry of individuals deemed likely to become a public charge, or those who might rely on public benefits for basic needs such as financial assistance or long-term medical care. The pause affects nations across several continents, including the Bahamas, Brazil, Jamaica, Russia, and Somalia, effectively halting legal permanent residency pathways for roughly 38% of all nations.
Under the new policy, consular officers are instructed to halt the issuance of immigrant visas while the State Department reassesses its screening and vetting procedures. This reassessment focuses on factors such as health, age, financial resources, and English proficiency to ensure that new immigrants are financially self-sufficient. While the suspension is sweeping, it specifically targets immigrant visas meant for those seeking permanent residence. It does not currently apply to non-immigrant categories, such as temporary tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), or business visas, though applicants in these categories may face increased scrutiny.
The move has created significant uncertainty for millions of families, skilled workers, and employers who depend on legal immigration channels. The State Department has indicated that the freeze will remain in place until the government can ensure that immigration does not place an undue burden on the American welfare system. There is no confirmed timeline for when processing might resume. While certain humanitarian or national interest exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, the majority of applicants from the listed countries must now prepare for indefinite delays in their relocation and reunification plans.
According to a State Department cable and various reports from January 14, 2026, the following 75 countries are subject to the indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing starting January 21, 2026:
Africa & Middle East (33)
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Yemen.
Asia & Pacific (18)
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan.
Americas & Caribbean (15)
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Europe & Eurasia (9)
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia.
Key Clarifications
- Non-Immigrant Visas: This specific pause only affects immigrant visas (those seeking a Green Card or permanent residency). Tourist (B1/B2), student (F/M), and most temporary work visas are not included in this 75-country pause, though they may still be subject to the earlier 39-country travel ban restrictions.
- Effective Date: The processing freeze is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 21, 2026.
- Dual Nationals: If you hold a passport from a country not on this list, you may be able to proceed with visa processing using that nationality.