US legal immigration falls by half as visa restrictions reshape entry routes: Explained

Legal immigration to the United States fell sharply in February 2026, with immigrant visa issuances dropping by half as the Trump administration tightened entry rules for applicants from dozens of countries. The decline highlights how changes to immigration policy can affect not only people seeking permanent residence but also students, skilled workers, business travellers and families planning to move to the US.

According to the US Department of State’s immigrant visa issuance data, the country issued around 26,000 immigrant visas in February, compared with a monthly average of 52,000 before Donald Trump returned to office. The figures point to a broader slowdown in legal immigration as restrictions, additional screening and visa suspensions reshape access to the country.

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Slower permanent immigration

The decline followed restrictions introduced in late 2025 and early 2026. The administration introduced measures that made immigration substantially more difficult for applicants from 91 countries and reduced immigrant visa availability for people from another 61 countries.

In January 2026, an expanded travel ban barred people from 39 countries from receiving visas or entering the US. Separately, immigrant visa issuance was suspended for applicants from another 52 countries. The administration had also suspended the diversity immigrant visa programme a month earlier.

The government said the measures were intended to strengthen security screening and assess whether applicants might depend on public benefits in the future. However, the effect has extended beyond the stated policy objectives, with fewer immigrant visas being issued across several regions.

Immigrant visas are issued to eligible foreign nationals applying from outside the US to enter as lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green-card holders. The figures therefore do not represent every green card granted in the country, as they exclude people who obtain permanent residence through routes such as adjustment of status while already in the US.

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Regions seeing the steepest declines

The slowdown has been particularly severe in several regions. Immigrant visa issuances fell by 99 per cent in Central Asia, 89 per cent in Africa, 84 per cent in Eastern Europe and 81 per cent in the Middle East, compared with monthly averages in 2023 and 2024.

South Asia recorded a 63 per cent decline, while South America saw a 60 per cent fall. Issuances dropped by 53 per cent in the Caribbean, 33 per cent in East Asia and 30 per cent in Central America. Western Europe experienced a smaller decline of 16 per cent.

Canada and Mexico were exceptions, with immigrant visa issuances increasing by 142 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively. Together, they accounted for around 30 per cent of all immigrant visas issued in February.

The regional differences show that the impact of US immigration policy has not been uniform. Nationality-based restrictions can substantially narrow the available routes for applicants from some countries, while people from other countries may continue to have access to established immigration channels.

Students, workers and visitors should also pay attention

The slowdown is not limited to people seeking permanent residence. Student and work visas fell by 30 per cent compared with a year earlier, while tourist and business visitor visas declined by about 25 per cent in February.

India and China were not covered by the travel bans but still recorded sharp declines in student and H-1B work visas. Additional rules and fees contributed to the wider slowdown, indicating that applicants can face a more difficult visa environment even when their nationality is not directly covered by a ban. Seasonal agricultural and exchange-worker visa issuances remained broadly stable, while visas for other seasonal workers, including those in hospitality and tourism, declined.

For Indians planning to study, work or settle in the US, the key distinction is between a formal ban and a wider tightening of visa access. Being outside a travel ban does not guarantee that applications will remain unaffected by additional requirements, fees or processing delays.