On January 14, 2026, the Department of State released an update that it would pause the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries.
The immigrant visa is the last phase in the green card process for individuals who apply for their green card at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
This pause does not apply to individuals applying for their green card within the United States via an Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), which is the primary pathway for our firm clients. The pause also does not apply to nonimmigrant visas like H-1B’s, J-1’s, or F-1’s.
This policy is effective January 21, 2026, and applies to the following countries:
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
Additionally, the pause on immigrant visas does not apply to dual nationals who hold a passport from a country not included in the above list.
Applicants for immigrant visas should still attend scheduled interviews, but the immigrant visa will not be issued at this time.
Bernstein Shur will continue to monitor this pause and will provide updates as they are released.