The Department of State announced via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it would pause issuance of Immigrant Visas for 75 countries starting January 21, 2026.  In a subsequent cable issued to all consular posts, the DOS purports that the pause is needed to "review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge."   The cable creates a presumption that individuals from the following 75 countries are inadmissible because they are likely to become a public charge:  

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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.

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The pause does not affect immigrant visas that have already been issued.  They continue to be valid and may be used to enter the US as an immigrant.  Consulates will continue to conduct Immigrant Visa interviews with heightened scrutiny of public charge issues.  However, no immigrant visas will be issued after those interviews until the pause is lifted.  The DOS gave no timeline for how long the pause will last.  

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The pause does not affect the issuance of non-immigrant visas from those countries.  Non-immigrant visas (tourist visas, student visas, etc.) will continue to be processed and issued.  

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If you believe this pause may affect you or your family members, please contact our offices to schedule a consultation.