Visa Issuance Paused for 75 Countries

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a "pausing" for all visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries effective January 21, 2026. The list of countries is:

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.

According to the DOS, "President Trump has made [sic] clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans." DOS cites a reason for the pause as "ensur[ing] that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge."

This pause affects employment-based and family-based immigration. However, one can still apply and interview for a visa.