The U.S. Department of State has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. The move, confirmed by a State Department spokesperson and outlined in internal guidance to consular officers, directs that immigrant visas from the affected countries will not be issued while the Department reassesses screening and vetting procedures under existing immigration law.
Officials say the pause is part of broader measures aimed at tightening review criteria for potential immigrants who may be deemed likely to become a “public charge”, meaning someone expected to rely on government benefits. The policy will not apply to non-immigrant visas such as tourist, business, student, or temporary work visas.
While the Department of State has not yet published an official master list, reporting based on internal memos and confirmed sources identifies the following 75 countries whose immigrant visa processing is to be paused:
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, Costa de Marfil (Côte 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, 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.
Note: This list is based on reporting from multiple sources and internal State Department memoranda; the official list may be updated if the Department of State publishes formal guidance.
What This Means
- Immigrant Visas Only:The suspension specifically targets immigrant visa processing, which includes visas that lead to permanent residency (green cards). Consular officers have been instructed to refuse issuance during this review period.
- No Change to Non-Immigrant Visas: Tourist, business, student, and other temporary visa categories are not covered by this blanket pause, although individual cases may still face additional scrutiny.
- Reassessment of Procedures: The State Department indicates that visa processing will remain paused from these nations until screening and vetting procedures can be reassessed and updated.
Impact
HR and Global Mobility teams with employees or candidates from the affected countries will need to closely monitor case statuses and adjust mobility planning accordingly. Applicants should stay in contact with the relevant U.S. consulate or embassy and seek updated guidance from official Department of State channels. WR Immigration will continue to monitor this as further guidance is released.
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