The U.S. Department of State says it will pause issuing immigrant visas to applicants who are nationals of 75 listed countries, citing “public charge” (public benefits) concerns and a broader policy review.

Introduction

On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a “full review” of immigration-related policies, regulations, and guidance aimed at ensuring that new immigrants are financially self-sufficient and do not become a public charge. Public charge is a ground of inadmissibility that may apply when the government determines an applicant is likely, at any time after admission, to rely primarily on certain public benefits.

As part of this review, the DOS stated that it will temporarily pause the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of certain countries identified as presenting elevated public benefits concerns. This action follows expanded public charge guidance issued to consular officers in November 2025, which broadened the range of health, financial, and personal factors considered in public charge assessments and signaled increased scrutiny in both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa adjudications.

The immigrant visa issuance pause is effective January 21, 2026.

Scope of the Immigrant Visa Issuance Pause

The DOS will pause the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants who are nationals of 75 designated countries identified on travel.state.gov.

The affected countries include 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.

The DOS has characterized this action as an indefinite pause rather than a permanent policy change, as no end date has been announced. According to DOS, the suspension will remain in place while the agency conducts a broader reassessment of immigrant visa processing standards and screening procedures, with a particular focus on evaluating applicants’ likelihood of relying on public welfare benefits after admission to the United States.

Although consular posts may continue accepting applications and conducting interviews during this period, immigrant visas will not be issued to affected nationals until the review is completed and further guidance is released.

Key Clarifications

In accompanying frequently asked questions, the DOS outlined several practical details about how the pause will be implemented beginning January 21, 2026:

• Consular posts may continue to accept immigrant visa applications and conduct interviews for affected applicants, and appointments may still be scheduled. However, no immigrant visas will be issued to nationals of the listed countries while the pause remains in effect.
• Certain dual nationals may not be subject to the pause if they apply for an immigrant visa using a valid passport issued by a country that is not included on the list.
• Immigrant visas already issued are not being revoked as a result of this policy.
• The pause applies only to immigrant visas, which are used to obtain lawful permanent residence. The policy does not extend to nonimmigrant visas, such as visitor, student, or other temporary visa categories, which will continue to be processed under existing rules

Practical Takeaways for Employers and Families

• This update is most relevant for cases that rely on consular processing of immigrant visas issued outside the United States.
• For nationals of the affected countries, the anticipated impact is primarily timing-related, as visa issuance may be delayed while the DOS completes its review.
• Employers and families may wish to build additional flexibility into planning, including start dates, international relocations, and family reunification timelines.

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Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading any content on our website does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance tailored to your specific situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney.