The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced updates to immigrant visa processing at U.S. consulates around the world for applicants from a specified list of 75 countries. The stated rationale for the pause is so that the DOS can review their assessment protocols to better determine whether certain applicants may potentially seek public benefits upon arrival in the U.S.  

Effective January 21, 2026, the DOS will pause the issuance of all immigrant visas to applicants who are nationals of the following 75 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, 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. 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Interviews Will Continue: Immigrant visa applicants may continue submitting applications and attending scheduled consular interviews. However, no immigrant visas will be issued to affected nationals during the pause. 
2. Tourist and Other Nonimmigrant Visas Are Not Affected: The pause applies only to immigrant visa categories. Tourist and other nonimmigrant visa applications are not impacted. 
3. Dual Nationals Are Exempt: Applicants who also hold a valid passport from a non-listed country are not subject to this pause. 
4. No Revocation of Existing Visas: The DOS has clarified that no current immigrant visas have been revoked as part of this update.  
5. No Timeline on Duration of Suspension: The DOS has not indicated how long the pause in immigrant visa adjudications will last.  

Foster will continue to monitor the pause on immigrant visa processing from the designated countries and provide additional updates via our firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.