Friday, January 16, 2026- In a sweeping move that will reshape global migration flows and legal immigration pathways, the U.S. State Department has announced that it will indefinitely pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. The policy applies to immigrant visas, the visas that lead to permanent residency (green cards) at U.S. consulates abroad.
The administration says the pause is part of an intensified review aimed at preventing individuals it deems likely to become a “public charge” - someone reliant on government benefits from entering the United States. Even as applicants may attend interviews, no visas will be issued while the pause is in effect.
The list of affected countries is broad and geographically diverse, stretching across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, and includes nations such as Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, and others.
Nationals from these countries may continue to apply and go through visa interviews, but no immigrant visas will be issued until the State Department completes a comprehensive reassessment of its screening and vetting procedures. The pause does not affect non‑immigrant visas such as tourist, business, student, or temporary work visas which will continue to be processed normally.
The implications are significant for families, workers, and potential permanent residents who have been waiting months or years for immigration approvals. Critics argue the move could stall family reunification plans, disrupt employment‑based immigration, and strain diplomatic relations, while supporters frame it as a vigorous enforcement of immigration standards and protection of U.S. social welfare systems.
As the administration moves forward with this indefinite pause, individuals and immigration advocates are urging swift clarity on timelines and exceptions, even as the policy raises broader questions about America’s future role in global mobility and legal immigration reform.
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