Trump Administration Pauses Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries: What You Need to Know

Effective January 21, 2026, the Trump Administration has implemented a pause on immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 specific countries. Under this new directive, the Department of State will apply a non-statutory presumption of 212(a)(4) (public charge) ineligibility for any applicant using a passport from the designated list.

List of Affected Countries

The suspension impacts a wide range of nations across every continent, including:

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.

Note: While some countries on this list are already subject to 212(f) entry restrictions, others (like Kuwait) are newly restricted under this public charge directive. Conversely, some 212(f)-restricted countries, such as Mauritania, are not currently on this specific list.

Critical Updates for Visa Applicants

1. Interviews Will Still Take Place

Despite the pause, visa interviews will proceed. Consular officers are instructed to:

Conduct full assessments of all applicants.
Identify other ineligibilities first (such as criminal grounds).
If no other issues exist, the case will be refused under INA 221(g) based on the 212(a)(4) public charge presumption.
Action Required: Applicants must still bring all documents, including medical exams and police clearances, to their appointments.

2. Nonimmigrant Visas are Unaffected

This policy applies only to immigrant visas. Temporary visas (nonimmigrant visas such as F-1, J-1, E-2, E-2 Employee Visa, E-2 for Australians, E-2 for Canadians, E-2 for UK Citizens, E-1, E-3, L-1, L-1 for Canadians, L-1 New Office, L-1B specialized knowledge, TN, O-1, H-1B, H-2B, H-2A and others are not included in this specific pause.

3. Exemptions and Exceptions to visa pause

Dual Nationals: If you hold a passport from a country not on the list and use it for your application, you are exempt from this pause.
National Interest Waivers: Limited exemptions may be available for cases deemed in the national interest.

4. Impact on Existing Visas

No valid, issued visas have been revoked. However, if a visa was approved but not yet printed or mailed, it will be canceled without prejudice.

5. Indefinite Timeline

The State Department has not provided an end date for this pause. The policy is officially in place while the government reviews screening and vetting procedures related to public charge concerns.

Important Consideration

Applicants must decide whether to proceed with their scheduled interview—which will likely result in a 221(g) refusal—or attempt to reschedule in hopes of a future policy change. It is highly recommended that you consult with an immigration lawyer to make an individualized determination for your case.

Does this pause apply to tourist visas?

No, this pause is specifically for immigrant visa applicants. Tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas and as result the pause does not apply to them.

Does this visa pause apply to student visas?

No, this pause does not apply to student visas.

Why Partner with Malescu Law?

Navigating a shifting immigration landscape requires more than just filling out forms—it requires a proactive, high-level strategy to protect your future in the United States.

Our immigartion lawyers provide individualized case strategy to help you decide whether to proceed with an interview or strategically delay to avoid a problematic refusal on your record.

We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Contact us or schedule a consultation.

Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Immigration Lawyers