On January 14, 2026, the Trump Administration announced that effective January 21, 2026, it would pause the immigrant visa issuance for people from 75 countries. The policy creates a presumption of public charge ineligibility for anyone applying with a passport from one of the named countries.
The list of affected countries is as follows:
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.
Importantly, this new announcement applies only to immigrant visas (green cards). The pause does not apply to nonimmigrant visas such as tourist visas.
Important points:
Interviews will proceed: Interviews will still proceed. The consular officers must “conduct interviews and fully assess each applicant.” Officers are instructed to identify any other ineligibilities first such as criminal grounds and to base any refusal on that basis if applicable. Otherwise, they are to identify the case as ineligible under public charge and simply put the case on hold. Applicants must bring all required documents to their interviews even medical exams or criminal clearances.
Dual National Exemption: As with prior bans, applicants apply with a passport from a country that is not on pause may receive final adjudications.
National Interest Exemption: As with other bans, a national interest exemption appears to apply, likely in very limited circumstances.
No valid visas have been revoked; however, if the visa was printed but not yet sent to the applicant, it will be cancelled without prejudice. If the visa was not yet printed, it will not be printed.
No time given: No timeline was given for the length of the pause, which is notionally in place while the State Department reviews screening, vetting, etc. related to public charge.
This is obviously brand new and hopefully temporary. We still advise people from these countries to push forward on your case, but when time for the interview comes, please talk to a good immigration attorney before attending. Give us a call so we can discuss your case.