State Department Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Citing Public Charge Concerns

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) announced on January 14, 2026, that it is indefinitely suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries. This new directive, which becomes effective on January 21, 2026, marks a significant expansion of the administration’s vetting protocols and is based on concerns regarding the potential for new immigrants to become dependent on public assistance.

Overview of the Immigrant Visa Suspension

Under the new guidance, U.S. consular posts worldwide are instructed to pause the issuance of immigrant visas (visas for permanent residence or “Green Cards”) to applicants from the designated list of 75 countries. The State Department has indicated that this “pause” is necessary to allow for a comprehensive reassessment of vetting procedures, specifically to ensure that applicants will not become a “public charge” or rely on U.S. welfare programs.

While the full official list of all 75 countries is still being disseminated to all posts, the suspension reportedly targets nations where the administration believes migrants have historically utilized public benefits at “unacceptable rates.”

List of Affected Countries

While the Department of State has not yet published an official regulatory notice in the Federal Register, reporting based on internal memos and confirmed sources identifies the following 75 countries whose immigrant visa processing is to be paused:

A-B Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma (Myanmar)

C-E Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa de Marfil (Côte d’Ivoire), Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia

F-K Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan

L-N Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria

P-S 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

T-Y Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Yemen

Scope of the Suspension: Immigrant vs. Nonimmigrant Visas

It is critical to distinguish that this suspension currently applies specifically to immigrant visas. These are visas sought by individuals abroad who intend to relocate permanently to the United States (e.g., family-based or employment-based Green Card processing at a consulate).

• Immigrant Visas: Processing is effectively frozen for nationals of the affected countries starting January 21, 2026.

• Nonimmigrant Visas: At this time, the suspension does not formally apply to nonimmigrant visa classifications (such as B-1/B-2 visitors, H-1B specialty occupation workers, L-1 intracompany transferees, or F-1 students). However, applicants for nonimmigrant visas from these countries should anticipate heightened scrutiny and longer processing times as consular officers apply stricter vetting standards.

At this time this suspension does not apply to immigrant petitions and adjustment of status applications (I-485) filed by applicants who are inside the United States and are seeking to adjust their status to permanent residents from inside the U.S.

The “Public Charge” Rationale

The suspension is grounded in the administration’s interpretation of the “public charge” ground of inadmissibility. The DOS statement emphasized that the freeze will remain active until the U.S. government can implement new screening mechanisms to guarantee that future immigrants will be self-sufficient.  See our 2022 alert on the Public Charge.

Practical Considerations and Impact on Employers and Families

This announcement introduces immediate uncertainty for U.S. employers sponsoring foreign workers for Green Cards and for U.S. citizens petitioning for family members abroad.

• Practical concern: Indefinite Delays for Consular Processing. Employers with prospective employees waiting for immigrant visa interviews abroad should prepare for indefinite delays. Even if an individual has an approved I-140 petition and is “current” under the Visa Bulletin, the consular post will be unable to issue the final visa stamp once the suspension takes effect on January 21.

• Practical concern: Impact on “Adjustment of Status” Applications. The State Department’s jurisdiction is generally limited to visa issuance outside the United States. It is currently unclear if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will adopt a reciprocal policy for Adjustment of Status applications (Form I-485) filed domestically. However, given the administration’s coordinated approach to immigration enforcement, applicants within the U.S. should monitor for similar policy shifts from DHS.

• Practical concern: Validity of Previously Issued Visas. The announcement specifies a suspension of issuance. It does not explicitly revoke immigrant visas that have already been issued and printed. Individuals from affected countries who currently hold a valid, unexpired immigrant visa but have not yet entered the U.S. should consider traveling immediately to avoid potential complications or expanded restrictions.

Conclusion

We will monitor very closely any developments on this topic, particularly the release of the complete list of 75 affected countries and any subsequent guidance from USCIS regarding domestic applications.

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