The U.S. State Department announced an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, starting January 21, 2026. This affects family-, employment-, and diversity immigrant visas, but nonimmigrant visas (like tourist or student visas) are not currently part of this freeze.
📌 Why It’s Happening
The move is framed around the “public charge” rule—a long-standing part of U.S. immigration law allowing officials to deny visas if someone is likely to rely on government welfare. The administration says it wants to reassess vetting procedures to block immigrants expected to become a “public charge.” Critics call the policy a broad immigration barrier.
🌍 Who Is Affected
Affected countries include a wide range of nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, including Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, and Egypt. Dual nationals using a passport from a non-listed country may be exempt.
📈 Impact & Implications
Legal immigration slowdown: Many lawful immigrant applications will be delayed indefinitely.
Uncertainty for families and workers: People planning reunification or employment-based moves may face long delays or reassess plans.
Diplomatic and economic effects: The policy may strain relations with affected countries and shift global migration patterns.
The U.S. State Department announced an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, starting January 21, 2026. This affects family-, employment-, and diversity immigrant visas, but nonimmigrant visas (like tourist or student visas) are not currently part of this freeze.
📌 Why It’s Happening
The move is framed around the “public charge” rule—a long-standing part of U.S. immigration law allowing officials to deny visas if someone is likely to rely on government welfare. The administration says it wants to reassess vetting procedures to block immigrants expected to become a “public charge.” Critics call the policy a broad immigration barrier.
🌍 Who Is Affected
Affected countries include a wide range of nations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, including Pakistan, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, Iraq, and Egypt. Dual nationals using a passport from a non-listed country may be exempt.
📈 Impact & Implications
Legal immigration slowdown: Many lawful immigrant applications will be delayed indefinitely.
Uncertainty for families and workers: People planning reunification or employment-based moves may face long delays or reassess plans.
Diplomatic and economic effects: The policy may strain relations with affected countries and shift global migration patterns.
🚨 Bottom Line
This is a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy—not a total travel ban, but a large pause in green card-type visas for many countries, driven by public benefit concerns and broader immigration tightening efforts. Its indefinite nature creates uncertainty for applicants and global mobility.
🚨 Bottom Line
This is a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy—not a total travel ban, but a large pause in green card-type visas for many countries, driven by public benefit concerns and broader immigration tightening efforts. Its indefinite nature creates uncertainty for applicants and global mobility.
