Date: January 15, 2026
Executive Summary
The U.S. State Department has directed U.S. consular posts to pause immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026.
This development will impact:
• Employment-based and family-based green card applicants processing through a U.S. consulate abroad, and
• Dependents applying for immigrant visas abroad.
The State Department has indicated the pause is intended to support enhanced screening and vetting and to ensure applicants from the affected countries meet U.S. eligibility standards before immigrant visas are issued. The Administration is also citing concerns related to national security and the likelihood that certain applicants could become a “public charge” as part of the rationale for the temporary halt.
This is expected to create significant delays and uncertainty in immigrant visa processing for foreign nationals from the listed countries.
What’s Changing
The reported pause applies only to immigrant visas processed through U.S. consular posts outside the United States (i.e., “consular processing” for permanent residence) on or after January 21, 2026.
Applicants who are nationals of the affected countries may submit visa applications and attend interviews, and consulates will continue to schedule immigrant visa appointments, but no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during this pause.
Who Is Most Likely Impacted
Employers should assume potential impact for:
• Employees awaiting immigrant visa issuance abroad
• Spouses/children processing immigrant visas as dependents abroad
What This Does NOT Mean
This State Department pause is specific to immigrant visa processing at U.S. consulates abroad. It does NOT apply to:
- Adjustment of Status filings inside the U.S. (Form I-485)
- Nonimmigrant visa categories, although separate restrictions may exist for some countries under other policies.
- Dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country that is not one of the listed countries.
Confirmed List of 75 Countries
The following countries are included in the immigrant visa processing pause:
| Afghanistan | Albania | Algeria |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Armenia | Azerbaijan |
| Bahamas | Bangladesh | Barbados |
| Belarus | Belize | Bhutan |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Brazil | Myanmar |
| Cambodia | Cameroon | Cape Verde |
| Colombia | Côte 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 | Kyrgyzstan |
| Laos | Lebanon | Liberia |
| Libya | North Macedonia | Moldova |
| Mongolia | Montenegro | Morocco |
| Nepal | Nicaragua | Nigeria |
| Pakistan | Republic of the Congo | Russia |
| Rwanda | St. Kitts and Nevis | St. Lucia |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
| Somalia | South Sudan | Sudan |
| Syria | Tanzania | Thailand |
| Togo | Tunisia | Uganda |
| Uruguay | Uzbekistan | Yemen |
Practical HR / Global Mobility Impacts
Employers should anticipate:
• Delays in start dates for new hires planning to enter the U.S. on an immigrant visa
• Uncertainty in onboarding and relocation timing
• Potential need for interim work authorization planning
Recommended Action Steps for Employers
- Identify affected cases immediately.
- Inform impacted individuals that consular immigrant visa processing may be delayed beginning January 21, 2026
- Evaluate whether Adjustment of Status may be an alternative pathway.
- Explore whether the individual can remain in the U.S. in another status (if already present)
How We Can Help
We can assist with:
- Rapid case triage and risk review for impacted foreign nationals.
- Alternative immigration pathway analysis
- Workforce planning strategies for delayed arrivals.
- Drafting communications for all affected foreign nationals
