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U.S. Halts Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries Effective Jan. 21

The State Department says the suspension enables a reassessment of public‑charge rules to ensure new arrivals will not rely on U.S. benefits.

Overview

  • Consular posts will continue accepting immigrant visa applications and holding interviews, but visas will not be printed or issued during the pause.
  • Nonimmigrant travel remains unaffected, including tourist and student visas and trips for the 2026 World Cup, according to the State Department.
  • The freeze is open‑ended pending the policy review, with no timeline provided for resuming immigrant visa issuance.
  • The list covers Brazil, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, and numerous nations in the Caribbean, Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with dual nationals using a different passport exempt.
  • Employers and families face delays and uncertainty, with legal advisories noting potential refusals of already approved but unprinted visas and Caribbean and U.S. officials denouncing the policy as discriminatory.