NO NEW Green Cards: Trump Admin FREEZES Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries!

On January 14, 2026, the State Department announced it is pausing the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026, while it develops a new process to assess whether applicants may become a “public charge” (financially dependent on the U.S. government).

Applicants can still apply and attend interviews, but no immigrant visas will not be issued during the pause. The policy affects family-sponsored and employment-based green cards, though dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not on the list are exempt from the suspension.

The policy change focuses on the statutory “public charge” ground of inadmissibility, which allows visa refusal in the event an applicant is found likely to depend on the U.S. government for financial assistance. Consular officers are permitted to consider factors such as an applicant’s health, age, education, employment prospects, and financial stability when evaluating if they are a public charge risk.

It is unclear how long the suspension will last or how the public charge review process will ultimately change.

Immigrant visa applicants from the affected countries should monitor communications from the State Department and prepare for potential delays in visa issuance.

The Countries Subject to the Ban on Immigrant Visa Issuance

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The immigrant visa suspension applies to nationals of the following 75 countries:

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*.

*Currently included on full travel ban list
**Currently included on partial travel ban list

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What will happen to immigrant visa interview appointments?

A: Immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews. The Department of State will continue to schedule applicants for appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause.

Q: Are there any exceptions?

A: Dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country that is not listed above are exempt from this pause.

As with other travel bans, national interest exemptions are available, but in very limited circumstances.

Q: Does this affect my current valid visa?

A: Existing immigrant visas have not been revoked as part of this guidance.

Q: Does this apply to tourist visas?

A: No, this pause is specifically for immigrant visa applicants. Immigrant visa applicants are those who are residing outside of the United States and applying for permanent residence at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

Tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas and are not subject to this policy.

Q: Does this apply to green card applicants in the United States?

A: No. The State Department’s announcement applies only to applicants residing abroad who are applying for immigrant visas at U.S. Consulates and Embassies overseas.

The Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick is carefully monitoring the implementation of this new State Department policy and any related policy changes at the State Department and will provide further information as it becomes available.