The United States Department of State has announced a pause on immigrant visa issuances for nationals from 89 countries, effective January 21, 2026.
The pause affects applicants from nations the department has classified as “high risk” for public benefits usage.
The policy forms part of what the administration describes as a review to ensure immigrants do not rely on welfare programmes or become a public charge.
The list includes:
- 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
- Yemen
Interview appointments to continue
Nationals from affected countries may still submit visa applications and attend interviews, according to the Department of State. Authorities will continue to schedule appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during the pause period.
The Department of State stated in its guidance that the policy reflects President Trump‘s position that “immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans”.
However, dual nationals who apply with a passport from a country not on the list are exempt from the pause.
No immigrant visas have been revoked as part of the guidance, the Department of State confirmed. Questions regarding admission to the United States have been referred to the Department of Homeland Security.
Tourist visas unaffected
The pause applies specifically to immigrant visa applicants and does not affect tourist visas, which are classified as nonimmigrant visas.
The Department of State described the measure as part of a “full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance” related to immigrant financial self-sufficiency.
