In a brand new change to U.S. consular coverage, the State Division has introduced it can indefinitely pause immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 nations (see listed nations beneath), whereas it establishes a course of for figuring out whether or not candidates are more likely to turn out to be financially depending on the U.S. authorities (also called public cost).
The company initially introduced the information on social media and later revealed official steerage on the State Division web site.
Below this new suspension—efficient January 21, 2026—U.S. consular posts abroad will not situation immigrant visas (together with family- and employment-based inexperienced playing cards) for candidates from the listed nations till the general public cost coverage is carried out. Candidates from these nations should submit purposes and attend interviews, however visas can’t be printed and issued through the pause.
Most of the affected nations are already topic to full or partial journey bans, which means the sensible impression could also be restricted for some candidates. Twin nationals making use of with a passport from a rustic not on the listing are exempt from the suspension.
The explanation behind this coverage shift is a renewed deal with the statutory “public cost” floor of inadmissibility, which permits visa refusal when an applicant is deemed more likely to rely upon U.S. authorities monetary help sooner or later. The reassessment follows up to date inner steerage that broadens the elements consular officers think about—together with well being, age, schooling, employment prospects, and monetary stability—in evaluating public cost danger.
It stays unclear how lengthy the suspension will final or how the general public cost evaluate course of will finally change. Immigrant visa candidates from the affected nations ought to monitor communications from the State Division and put together for potential delays in visa issuance.
Listed Nations
The immigrant visa suspension applies to nationals of the next 75 nations:
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*.
*At present included on full journey ban listing
**At present included on partial journey ban listing
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
What is going to occur to immigrant visa interview appointments?
Immigrant visa candidates who’re nationals of affected nations could submit visa purposes and attend interviews. The Division of State will proceed to schedule candidates for appointments, however no immigrant visas shall be issued to those nationals throughout this pause.
Are there any exceptions?
Twin nationals making use of with a sound passport of a rustic that isn’t listed above are exempt from this pause.
As with different journey bans, nationwide curiosity exemptions can be found, however in very restricted circumstances.
Does this have an effect on my present legitimate visa?
Present immigrant visas haven’t been revoked as a part of this steerage.
Does this apply to vacationer visas?
No, this pause is particularly for immigrant visa candidates. Immigrant visa candidates are those that are residing outdoors of the US and making use of for everlasting residence at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.
Vacationer visas are nonimmigrant visas, and aren’t topic to this coverage.
The Legislation Workplaces of Jacob Sapochnick is fastidiously monitoring the implementation of this new State Division coverage and any associated coverage modifications on the State Division and can present additional info because it turns into accessible.
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