US lifts January pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries

The United States has ended its January 2026 pause on immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries, following a court order in CLINIC et al. v. Rubio et al. The pause is no longer in effect as of August 21, 2026, according to the Department of State.

The pause had taken effect on January 21, 2026. It applied to immigrant visa applicants from countries including India’s neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan.

The Department of State said the pause was introduced while it reviewed screening and vetting policies. The review focused on ensuring that immigrants would be financially self-sufficient and would not become a public charge or unlawfully use welfare in the US.

Visa interviews can continue

During the pause, applicants from affected countries could still submit visa applications and attend interviews. The Department of State also continued scheduling immigrant visa interviews.

With the pause no longer in effect, applicants can continue with the immigrant visa process under the applicable rules.

Countries covered by the January pause

The list included:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the 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, the Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, the 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.

Who was exempt?

Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country that was not on the list were exempt from the pause.

Children being adopted by American citizens could also qualify for an exception, including a National Interest Exception under Presidential Proclamation 10998, where applicable. American families pursuing adoption were advised to continue the regular process, submit visa applications and attend consular interviews.

The Department of State said the guidance did not revoke any existing immigrant visas. Questions about admission to the US were referred to the Department of Homeland Security.

The pause applied only to immigrant visa applicants. Tourist visas, which are nonimmigrant visas, were not covered by the measure.