The US suspends immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries from 21 January 2026

US authorities have announced an indefinite pause on issuing immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries. The decision has been confirmed by the State Department and has been in effect since 21 January 2026. The restriction applies only to immigrant visas; non-immigrant categories (including tourist and business) are unaffected.

The State Department explains the decision as a "comprehensive review" of immigration procedures — with an emphasis on the financial self-sufficiency of prospective immigrants and the risk of becoming a "public charge" on the welfare system. Consulates are instructed to keep accepting applications and conducting interviews, but not to issue immigrant visas to citizens of listed countries during the review period.

There are caveats. Dual nationals may be exempt from the pause if they apply with a valid passport from a country not on the list. It's also emphasised that immigrant visas already issued are not being revoked under the new guidance.

The list spans several regions — Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Countries mentioned include Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and others.

Experts warn the measure could noticeably reduce legal immigration flows to the US over the coming year.

The decision fits the context of the Trump administration's continued hard-line migration stance since returning to the White House in January 2025: authorities are simultaneously cutting certain programmes and tightening controls, while stressing that the current pause is not a "blanket travel ban."

In simple terms for applicants: if you're applying under an immigrant category (family, employment, or other), you can still go through the interview, but may hit the pause specifically at the visa-issuance stage. Tourist and business visas formally fall outside this measure — you can still apply for a US visa.