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According to several news sources, including Associated Press, PBS, and Reuters, the U.S. State Department will pause visa processing at U.S. Consulates for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026, citing public charge concerns. The pause, according to these reports, is being framed as temporary while procedures for immigrant visas are reassessed.
This suspension does not apply to non-immigrant visa categories (i.e., visitor visas). This applies only to immigrant visas, which lead to permanent residency (colloquially called “green card”).
Of note, a cable to U.S. Consulates reported by Reuters, stated the State Department was “undergoing a ‘full review’ of all policies, regulations and guidance to ensure the highest level of screening” and “directed consular officers to refuse any applicants whose visa have been ‘print-authorized’ but have not been printed, or those that have been printed but have not left the consulate”.
The countries listed in this announcement are:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, 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.
Conclusion
At present, if a country is not included, it is unlikely to be directly affected by the intensified screening and preclusion. However, we can anticipate that this will affect the consular review culture worldwide.
This suspension underscores the importance of thoughtful, thorough case preparation, including initial screening for U.S. inadmissibility. Moreover, if a client discloses an inadmissibility issue during initial case preparation, it can be addressed proactively whenever possible.
We note that India and China are not included in the list of countries affected by this change. CLP will continue to monitor this development as it unfolds.
