The State Department on January 21, 2026, paused all immigrant visa issuances for nationals of 80 countries it identified as being at high risk of becoming a public charge, the department announced in a visa news notice. The move follows President Trump’s directive that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not burden American taxpayers, the department said.
“The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all screening and vetting policies to ensure that immigrants from high-risk countries do not unlawfully utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge,” the notice stated.
The affected countries include 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.
Under the pause, immigrant visa applicants from these countries may still submit visa applications and attend consular interviews, and the department said it will continue to schedule those interviews. However, no immigrant visas will be issued to them until further notice.
The department outlined two exceptions. Dual nationals who apply using a valid passport from a country not on the list are exempt. Children being adopted by U.S. citizens may also qualify for an exception, including a National Interest Exception under Presidential Proclamation 10998, if applicable. “These American families should continue the normal adoption process. They should submit visa applications and attend consular interviews. They do not need to take other additional steps to be considered for a case-by-case exception under the National Interest Exception,” the notice said.
The pause does not revoke any currently valid immigrant visas, the department stated, referring questions about admission to the United States to the Department of Homeland Security. The measure applies only to immigrant visa applicants; nonimmigrant tourist visas are not affected.
No official response from affected countries or immigration advocacy groups is reported in the source account.
Informational content only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney.