The Trump Administration has reiterated its position that immigrants to the United States must be financially self-sufficient and must not become a public charge or rely on U.S. public benefits. Consistent with this policy priority, the Department of State has initiated a comprehensive review of existing policies, regulations, and internal guidance governing immigrant visa adjudications.

As part of this review, and pending further policy determinations, the Department of State has announced a temporary pause on the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of certain countries identified as presenting an elevated risk of future public benefits usage.

Effective Date and Scope of the Pause

Effective January 21, 2026, U.S. consular posts worldwide will pause the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants who are nationals of the countries listed below.

This measure applies only to immigrant visa issuance at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. It does not revoke previously issued visas, does not cancel interviews, and does not apply to applications for Adjustment of Status filed inside the United States.

Countries Affected by the Immigrant Visa Issuance Pause

Immigrant visa issuance is paused for nationals of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens to my immigrant visa interview appointment?

Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. The Department of State will continue to schedule interviews and conduct consular processing. However, no immigrant visas will be issued to affected nationals during the pause.

Are there any exceptions to this pause?

Yes. Dual nationals who apply for an immigrant visa using a valid passport from a country not listed above are exempt from this pause.

Does this affect immigrant visas that have already been issued?

No. No immigrant visas have been revoked as part of this guidance. Individuals who already hold valid immigrant visas are not affected by the issuance pause itself.
Questions regarding admission to the United States at a port of entry fall under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security.

Does this pause apply to tourist or visitor visas?

No. This pause applies only to immigrant visas. Tourist visas (B-1/B-2) and other nonimmigrant visas are not affected.

Does This Pause Affect Adjustment of Status Applications Filed in the United States?

No. This pause does not apply to applications for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) filed with USCIS inside the United States.

The Department of State’s pause governs immigrant visa issuance abroad through U.S. embassies and consulates. Adjustment of Status, by contrast, is adjudicated domestically by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within the Department of Homeland Security.

Accordingly, individuals who:

  • Are physically present in the United States
  • Are otherwise eligible to adjust status under the Immigration and Nationality Act
  • And properly file Form I-485 with USCIS

are not subject to this immigrant visa issuance pause, even if they are nationals of one of the listed countries.

Applicants for Adjustment of Status must still satisfy all existing statutory and discretionary requirements, including the public charge inadmissibility framework, financial sponsorship obligations, and any applicable evidentiary standards. This announcement does not eliminate or replace those requirements; it is limited to consular immigrant visa issuance abroad.

Practical Impact and Ongoing Developments

This pause reflects a broader policy reassessment focused on public charge considerations and long-term financial self-sufficiency of intending immigrants. The Department of State has indicated that this review is ongoing, and further guidance may be issued as policies are updated or clarified.

Applicants and petitioners should closely monitor official announcements and consult qualified immigration counsel to assess case-specific implications, including strategic considerations for dual nationals, timing issues, and alternative immigration pathways where appropriate.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration policies are subject to change, and individual cases require fact-specific legal analysis.