Effective January 21, 2026, the US Department of State is indefinitely suspending immigrant visa issuance for the following 75 countries, due to a “full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge.”

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html

The 75 countries are:

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.

Frequently asked questions:

Can I still apply for an immigrant visa if I am from one of the above countries?

Yes

Will the Department of State still schedule, and do I attend an appointment on my immigrant visa application?

Yes, but no immigrant visa will be issued, until the suspension is over.

When will this end?

There is no set end date to this announcement.

Does this affect my current valid visa?

No.

Does this apply to non-immigrant visa issuance, such as a tourist visa (B-1/B-2), H-1B, L-1, etc.?

No.

Are there any exceptions to this immigrant visa hold?

Dual nationals (if you also hold a passport from another country that is not listed above) you can apply with the passport from the other country and you are exempt from this suspension.

Does this apply to applications filed with US Immigration and Citizenship Services? (I-485 applications, I-751 applications, etc.)?

No.

*Please note: This guidance relates to the January 14, 2026, US Department of State announcement regarding the suspension of immigrant visas by the US Department of State. Please see our separate News items regarding other application suspensions.

Date posted: January 16, 2026.