The DOS to Pause Immigrant Visa Processing Overseas for 75 Designated Countries

2026-01-14, BY wegreened

According to an official announcement by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) on January 14, 2026, the DOS will pause decisions on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 designated countries. This measure is being taken as the Department evaluates how consular officers screen immigrant visa applicants who are deemed likely to become a "public charge."

This policy is set forth in an official DOS public notice. While the DOS has not announced a specific end date or provided a case-by-case adjudication framework, the directive instructs U.S. embassies and consulates to pause the issuance of immigrant visas to affected nationals beginning January 21, 2026, while the DOS conducts a full review of its public-charge-related screening policies under existing immigration law.

Who Is NOT Affected?

Because this is a Department of State (DOS) directive, it specifically governs operations at embassies and consulates abroad. It is not a USCIS policy. Therefore, it does NOT affect any applications handled internally by USCIS.

Full List of 75 Countries Subject to Processing Suspension

Starting January 21, 2026, visa issuance at consulates for the following nations is paused:

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

FAQ: Suspension of Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Designated Nations

(Updated January 14, 2026)

Q1: What is the suspension?

A: This suspension refers to a pause in the decision of immigrant visa processing (IVP) handled by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad for nationals of certain designated countries. No approvals will be made for IVP cases from these countries during the pause.

Q2: Which countries are affected?

A: The suspension applies only to the 75 countries listed above. Starting January 21, 2026, these locations will pause immigrant visa decisions.

Q3: Does this apply to USCIS filings inside the United States?

A: No. This is a DOS directive governing overseas operations. It does not apply to the filing, adjudication, or approval of applications handled by USCIS, such as I-140 or I-485.

Q4: Can I still file an I-140 petition?

A: Yes. Filing and adjudication of I-140 petitions continue as normal, regardless of nationality.

Q5: Can I still file I-485/I-765/I-131 applications?

A: Yes. Filings with USCIS are not affected by this DOS memo.

Q6: Can I still file for Immigrant Visa Processing (IVP) if I am from one of the 75 countries?

A: Yes. The suspension does not affect the filing of IVP applications. You can still file once you receive the IVP invoice notice from the NVC.

Q7: Does this affect the approval of my immigrant visa?

A: Yes. Based on the DOS announcement, immigrant visa applications will not be approved during this period and are expected to remain in administrative processing status.

Q8: Does this cancel visas already issued or affect travel with an approved visa?

A: No. It applies to currently pending and new IVP cases. It does not revoke visas issued before January 21. It does not affect travel with a valid, approved immigrant visa.

Q9: Where can I find the actual memo?

A: The policy is published on the U.S. Department of State’s official website.

Q10: If I am eligible for both IVP and Adjustment of Status (I-485), which is recommended?

A: If you are physically present in the U.S. and eligible for I-485, that is the recommended path due to this suspension, unless you have a unique situation.

Q11: Are waivers available?

A: Currently, no clear waivers are provided. The DOS has not announced any waiver at this time.

Q12: Does holding dual citizenship help?

A: Yes. According to the Department of State’s official guidance, dual nationals who apply using a valid passport from a country not listed among the affected nationalities are exempt from this pause and may continue immigrant visa processing without issuance suspension.

Q13: Does this have an end date?

A: No fixed end date has been announced. It is expected to be temporary until the new public charge rules are finalized.

Q14: Does this affect nonimmigrant visa (stamps) or travel?

A: According to the official memo, it should only affect immigrant visas. However, consult your attorney or international office to be safe.

Q15: After the suspension is lifted, what vetting should I expect?

A: The Department of State has not yet released detailed post-pause adjudication procedures. However, existing immigration law requires consular officers to evaluate whether an immigrant visa applicant is likely to become a public charge based on the totality of the circumstances, rather than any single factor.

Under current public charge standards, consular officers generally consider factors such as:

• the applicant’s age;

• health condition;

• family status;

• assets, resources, and overall financial situation; and

• education and work experience.

Employment-based immigrant visa applicants, particularly those applying through EB-1A, EB-1B, or EB-2 NIW categories, typically present strong indicators of financial self-sufficiency through their professional background, education, and employment prospects. As a result, public charge concerns are generally considered lower in these categories under existing law, although each case is reviewed individually.

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