List of 75 Countries Facing U.S. Immigrant Visa Pause in 2026

The United States will begin implementing changes to its immigration policy that will pause the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Russia. 

The goal of this new policy is to provide additional security to applicants and create an environment where immigrant applicants are less likely to rely on public assistance as a condition of eligibility for obtaining an immigrant visa. 

Non-immigrant visas like tourist, student and work visas are generally unaffected by this change, however, families and individuals who are planning to live permanently in the United States may be delayed or have uncertainty regarding when they will be able to enter the United States. 

Below is a summary of the countries that will be affected, the types of immigration visas that will be affected, exceptions to the new policy and what this means for immigration applicants around the globe.

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Full List of 75 Countries Affected

The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.

— Department of State (@StateDept) January 14, 2026

Here are the countries whose immigrant visa processing will be paused based on the data by U.S. Department of State:

1. Afghanistan

2. Albania

3. Algeria

4. Antigua and Barbuda

5. Armenia

6. Azerbaijan

7. Bahamas

8. Bangladesh

9. Barbados

10. Belarus

11. Belize

12. Bhutan

13. Bosnia and Herzegovina

14. Brazil

15. Cambodia

16. Cameroon

17. Cape Verde

18. Colombia

19. Côte d’Ivoire

20. Cuba

21. Democratic Republic of the Congo

22. Dominica

23. Egypt

24. Eritrea

25. Ethiopia

26. Fiji

27. Gambia

28. Georgia

29. Ghana

30. Grenada

31. Guatemala

32. Guinea

33. Haiti

34. Iran

35. Iraq

36. Jamaica

37. Jordan

38. Kazakhstan

39. Kosovo

40. Kuwait

41. Kyrgyzstan

42. Laos

43. Lebanon

44. Liberia

45. Libya

46. North Macedonia

47. Moldova

48. Mongolia

49. Montenegro

50. Morocco

51. Nepal

52. Nicaragua

53. Nigeria

54. Pakistan

55. Republic of the Congo

56. Russia

57. Rwanda

58. St Kitts and Nevis

59. St Lucia

60. St Vincent and the Grenadines

61. Senegal

62. Sierra Leone

63. Somalia

64. South Sudan

65. Sudan

66. Syria

67. Tanzania

68. Thailand

69. Togo

70. Tunisia

71. Uganda

72. Uruguay

73. Uzbekistan

74. Yemen

75. Barbados

What Types of Visas Are Affected?

The United States’ suspension specifically focuses on immigrant visas, through which individuals wishing to live permanently in the United States may obtain a “Green Card” to do so. This includes family-based visas, employment-based visas to become a permanent U.S. resident, and the Diversity Lottery visa.

The Suspension by the United States specifically pertains to the grant of immigrant visas for those people wishing to be granted legal permanent resident status or a “green card” that allows them to live in the United States without fear of being returned home.

An immigrant can obtain this through a family member based in the United States, an employer who has sponsored him/her, or through the Diversity Lottery program.

Who Are Most Likely Affected?

 The temporary halt on Immigration Visa issuance will primarily affect people who plan to immigrate to the United States to live permanently. Key groups include:

•  Family-based immigrants will experience long wait times and uncertainty when they want to relocate to join their family members in the U.S.

• Employment-based visa applicants who are eligible for Permanent Residence (Green Card) may also have their plans delayed.

• High-volume country citizens include people from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Russia, and other affected nations, as these countries are directly impacted by the Visa Freeze.

•  Diversity Visa Lottery winners who have not received their diverse visa at the time of the freeze will also face delays in processing.

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