WASHINGTON — The United States has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for the citizens of 75 countries including Pakistan, a major adjustment in its immigration policy that takes effect January 21, 2026, the State Department said this week.
Under the directive, U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide will halt decisions on new immigrant visa applications from the nations on the list while the department reassesses screening and vetting procedures. The administration said the move is intended to strengthen enforcement of existing immigration law and prevent foreign nationals deemed likely to rely on public benefits from entering the United States.
State Department officials clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visa categories — those leading to permanent residence — and does not currently affect temporary visas such as tourist, business or student visas. Consular officers will continue to conduct interviews and may apply heightened scrutiny to applicants’ financial and background information.
The 75 countries affected by the visa processing pause are:
Pakistan
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Antigua and Barbuda
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Bhutan
Bosnia
Brazil
Burma (Myanmar)
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Colombia
Côte d’Ivoire
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dominica
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Haiti
Iran
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macedonia
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria
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
Yemen
Officials said the policy could remain in place indefinitely as procedures are reviewed, and no specific timeline has been announced for resuming processing for affected countries.
The announcement has drawn attention from immigration advocates and foreign governments, some of whom warn that the suspension could disrupt family reunification and lawful immigration pathways. Critics also argue that the broad list spans diverse regions and includes nations with varying economic and security profiles.
The State Department described the action as part of a broader strategy to enforce immigration laws and protect American taxpayers, while emphasising that review processes are ongoing and that affected applicants may still qualify for visas once the reassessment is complete.
