By: Patricia Gannon, Esq., Marcela Bermudez, Esq. and Hector A. Chichoni, Esq.
In an announcement today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) confirmed it will pause the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. This suspension targets nationals deemed likely to require public assistance while living in the United States. The 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 directive instructs embassies and consulates to halt visa decisions beginning January 21, 2026, while the department reassesses its vetting procedures under existing immigration law. However, the suspension or pause, which will begin January 21, 2026, will not apply to applicants seeking non-immigrant visas (tourist or business travel). The suspension does not apply to individuals who hold valid visas as of January 21, 2026.
While the suspension is indefinite, the State Department intends to use this window to review “public charge” concerns. Affected applicants may still attend interviews, but their ultimate eligibility for visa issuance remains uncertain.
At first glance, it appears the measure may be directed to immigrant visas being processed under family and other legalization-based categories. U.S. Consular posts have already been instructed to change the processing of applications over the past 12 months, including increased social media screening. The “public charge” rules have already been in place for some time, which require evidence that beneficiaries will not become an economic or financial burden to the public. In other words, the beneficiaries will not need or use the government’s assistance relating to healthcare or to provide any type of financial support. Fox reported that the State Department was reviewing the current rules around this issue and had opted to pause visas for the 75 countries while this assessment was carried out.
We will provide further details as more information emerges in the coming days. Subscribe to our blog today for timely insights, updates, and practical tips.
