Update, August 24, 2026: This post describes the immigrant visa pause as it stood in January 2026. On August 21, 2026, a federal judge vacated the policy nationwide, and U.S. consulates must now resume issuing immigrant visas based on individual assessment rather than nationality. The guidance below is retained as a record of the original policy. See what changed in our report on the court ruling on the 75-country pause.
Guidance issued by the U.S. Department of State in January 2026 introduced a pause in immigrant visa issuance for nationals of certain countries. This development raised questions for individuals applying for a green card through consular processing, particularly those who already had visa interviews scheduled at U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.
Below, we outline what the immigrant visa issuance pause meant, who was affected, and what applicants could expect while the pause remained in effect.
What exactly was paused?
The State Department notice was about immigrant visas, meaning the visas you receive at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States as part of consular processing for a green card. The State Department notice said that, effective January 21, 2026, the State Department was pausing all immigrant visa issuance to immigrant visa applicants who were nationals of the listed countries.
Did that mean a case stopped completely?
Not necessarily. The notice said immigrant visa applicants who were nationals of affected countries could still submit visa applications and attend interviews, and the Department would continue to schedule applicants for appointments. But it also said that no immigrant visas would be issued to those nationals during the pause. So, for many people, the case was still prepared and the interview still took place, but the immigrant visa was not issued at the end of the process while the pause was in place.
Were there any exceptions?
Yes. The notice stated that dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country not listed were exempt from the pause.
Did this affect tourist visas?
No. The notice said the pause was specifically for immigrant visa applicants, and tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas.
Did this affect visas already issued?
The notice said no immigrant visas were revoked as part of this guidance.
Which countries were covered by the State Department pause?
The State Department notice listed 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.
Where the Immigrant Visa Pause Stands Now
While the pause was in effect, an applicant for a green card through a U.S. embassy or consulate who was a national of one of the listed countries could expect the interview to go ahead, but immigrant visa issuance was paused during the review.
Following the August 21, 2026 ruling, that pause has been vacated and consulates must resume issuing immigrant visas to nationals of the listed countries. Applications refused solely because of the policy must be reviewed again.
If you have questions about how the State Department’s immigrant visa pause affected your green card application or consular processing, or about where your case stands now, schedule a consultation with us to discuss your strategy.
