US Department of State Suspends Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Visa Issuance for Certain Countries – Limited Exceptions Apply
Effective January 1, 2026, the US Department of State is indefinitely fully or partially suspending non-immigrant as well as immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries, and individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, with certain limited exceptions.
Effective January 1, 2026, the Department of State is fully suspending visa issuance to nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – and to individuals traveling on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, for all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories with limited exceptions for:
- Certain diplomatic and official visas
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
- Participants in certain major sporting events
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) (for those who currently hold this status, not new applicants).
Also effective January 1, 2026, the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of the following countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – for nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas with limited exceptions for:
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
- Participants in certain major sporting events
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)(for those who currently hold this status, not new applicants).
As of January 1, 2026, the Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of Turkmenistan for all immigrant visas with limited exceptions for:
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Dual nationals applying with a passport nationality not subject to a suspension
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
- Participants in certain major sporting events
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) (for those who currently hold this status, not new applicants).
Frequently asked questions:
Does this apply to me, if my visa was issued prior to January 1, 2026?
No. If you hold a valid visa that was issued and is in your passport, prior to January 1, 2026, your visa remains valid.
If I am a Dual National, meaning I also hold a passport for another country that is not on these lists, is there an exception for me?
Yes. If you hold a passport from a country that is not on this list, you can use that passport to apply for a non-immigrant or immigrant visa at the Consulate.
Are there any other exceptions, other than those listed above?
The Department of State website mentions that in his discretion, the Secretary of State in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security may find that travel by an individual into the US would serve the US national interest, on a case-by-case basis. There is no particular form or information on how to make the request, which will be difficult to achieve in most cases.
This is a challenging and ever-changing time for those applying for visas. The above is general information only and it is not to be considered legal advice. You are welcome to contact Ostrom Law Office for a consultation about your situation.
Date posted: January 16, 2026.
