State Department Freezes Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries

UPDATE: On July 31, 2026, a federal judge ruled that the State Department broke the law when it ordered consular officers to refuse immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries regardless of what an individualized review actually found.

The ruling came after a lawsuit brought by Newton De Moura Gomes, a Brazilian entrepreneur with a pending EB-5 investor Green Card case. As the plaintiff sought only “narrowly tailored relief,” U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta did not vacate the immigrant visa freeze, but ordered the State Department to individually re-adjudicate De Moura Gomes’s case within 60 days of his application being deemed complete, though he’ll first need to complete a new medical exam, since his prior one has already expired.

Although the pause remains in effect for other Green Card applicants, Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar says this could change in the near future. “There are other legal battles surrounding this policy, and it’s not yet clear whether the government will appeal to the D.C. Circuit,” she says. “For now, the freeze is still in place for everyone else from these 75 countries. But this ruling gives other affected applicants a real basis to challenge it in court, since a judge has now found the underlying policy unlawful.”

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The State Department is planning to pause immigrant visa processing for 75 countries. At this time, this would primarily impact foreign nationals attempting to secure a new immigrant visa approval at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad.

The visa processing pause will go into effect on January 21, 2026.

On January 14, 2026, the State Department released an official list of countries affected. The nations are:

• 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, The 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.

FAQs on the immigrant visa processing freeze

Who is impacted?

If implemented as reported, this would impact individuals who need to apply for a new immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. Those already in the U.S. pursuing adjustment of status are not subject to consular processing and are likely unaffected.

What should impacted individuals do right now?

For those currently in the U.S., remaining in the country may reduce exposure to consular delays, but whether adjustment of status is available or advisable is highly situational. The prudent approach is to avoid unnecessary travel that would require immigrant visa processing abroad and consult with an immigration attorney.

Will this impact foreign nationals applying for a visa from inside the U.S.?

No. At this time, this is not a pause on USCIS visa processing. The State Department only controls visa issuance for foreign nationals applying outside the U.S. USCIS controls visa issuance for those applying inside the U.S.

Will my visa interview appointment be canceled?

No. The State Department has confirmed that consular officers will not cancel any existing appointments. Consulates will also continue to schedule interviews.

Who’s exempt from the visa processing pause?

Dual citizens with a valid passport from a country not listed by the State Department will not have their cases paused.

Can I still apply for an immigrant visa?

Yes. You may still submit an immigrant visa application. However, you will not receive your actual visa until after the pause gets lifted and you receive an approval.

Will the immigrant visa processing pause affect my current status?

No. The immigrant processing pause only affects those abroad who have not yet received their documents. If you already have a valid visa, this does not affect you.

Can I still apply for and get a tourist or other nonimmigrant visa?

Yes. The visa processing freeze only applies to immigrant visas. Tourist visas and other nonimmigrant categories such as the O-1 are not affected at this time.