Immigrant Visa Issuance Temporarily Paused for Applicants From 75 Countries

The U.S. Department of State has confirmed a temporary pause on the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. The measure was announced in mid-January and later clarified through internal consular guidance.

This pause applies only to visa categories that lead to permanent residence, including:

• Family-based immigrant visas
• Employment-based immigrant visas
• Diversity Visa (DV) lottery green cards

Nonimmigrant visas such as visitor (B-1/B-2), student (F-1), and work visas (including H-1B and L-1) are not suspended, though applicants may experience more detailed questions related to financial self-sufficiency during the visa process.

Who Is Not Affected by the Pause?

The State Department has indicated that several groups remain unaffected, including:

• Individuals who already hold a valid immigrant visa or U.S. green card
• Dual nationals who apply using a passport from a country not included on the list
• Applicants filing for immigration benefits inside the United States through adjustment of status, where eligible

What Happens to Pending Cases?

During the pause, U.S. consulates may continue to:

• Accept immigrant visa applications
• Conduct visa interviews

However, approved cases will be placed into administrative processing under INA §221(g), and immigrant visas will not be issued until further notice. At this time, the government has not announced a timeline for when visa issuance may resume.

Practical Considerations for Families and Employers

This development may create uncertainty for:

• Families waiting to reunite through consular immigrant visa processing
• Employers sponsoring employees for permanent residence from abroad
• Diversity Visa selectees facing strict statutory deadlines

In some cases, affected individuals may explore interim options, such as qualifying nonimmigrant visa categories or adjusting long-term planning to account for delayed entry. Each situation requires a careful, case-specific analysis.

At Zhang-Louie PLLC, our immigration team closely follows Department of State and USCIS policy updates to help individuals and organizations understand how procedural pauses like this one may impact timing, eligibility, and strategic planning. Clear guidance is especially important when policies change without a defined end date.

Because this pause is administrative in nature, additional guidance may be issued as the State Department completes its review. Applicants and sponsors should continue monitoring official announcements and remain flexible in their immigration planning.

We will continue sharing updates as more details become available.