Which 75 Countries’ Visas Are Suspended? A Full Explanation of the U.S. Immigrant Visa Suspension (2026)

In early 2026, the United States government announced a sweeping policy that temporarily suspends the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries—a move that has major ramifications for family reunification, employment-based immigration, green card applicants, and permanent residency seekers from those nations. The decision, announced in a January 14, 2026 State Department memorandum and implemented starting January 21, 2026, does not affect non-immigrant visas such as tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F-1/J-1), or most work visas (like H-1B), but it halts immigrant visa issuance indefinitely while the U.S. reassesses its screening procedures under the so-called “public charge” standards of U.S. immigration law—a phrase that refers to applicants who may become dependent on government benefits.

Most authoritative coverage underscores that the policy change affects only immigrant visas, which are generally the category that leads to lawful permanent resident status (green cards). Temporary or non-immigrant entries—as would include visitors, students, and many workers—remain available for nationals of affected countries as long as they meet normal eligibility criteria. This distinction is critical for families and individuals impacted by the pause; while travel for tourism, study, or temporary employment may continue, the path to long-term residence and family unification via immigrant visas is currently frozen.

The list of 75 affected countries spans the globe, covering regions in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the Americas. There is no single geopolitical explanation for the selection—although news reports indicate the U.S. decision was tied to concerns over “public charge” risks and the need for more robust vetting of immigrants from countries whose nationals are statistically more likely to rely on public benefits according to U.S. government assessments. Critics argue this rationale is insufficient and discriminatory, and the policy has already been challenged in U.S. courts for lacking clear legal grounding.

Importantly, exceptions exist. Dual nationals from an affected country who hold passports from an unaffected one can still apply for immigrant visas; immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may also have avenues for adjudication that bypass the freeze depending on case specifics. The State Department’s guidance leaves room for case-by-case hardship waivers and discretionary approvals in limited circumstances, but the default position for the vast majority of applicants from the 75 countries is that immigrant visa issuance is on pause until further notice.

This article will break down the full list of countries affected, detail the reasons given by U.S. authorities for the suspension, explore the legal and policy context, explain who is and is not affected, review the exceptions and legal challenges underway, and assess practical implications for individuals, families, employers, and communities around the world.

What the Visa Suspension Policy Actually Is (and Is Not)

The U.S. immigration policy announced in January 2026 is a pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 named countries as communicated by the U.S. Department of State. This measure specifically affects immigrant visas, which are the category of visas that lead to green card issuance and lawful permanent residency in the United States. Under current guidance, consular posts around the world have been instructed not to approve or issue new immigrant visas for nationals of these countries until the State Department completes a reassessment of screening and vetting processes intended to ensure applicants are not likely to become a “public charge”—meaning dependent on public welfare.

The pause does not apply to non-immigrant visas, which are temporary categories such as B-1/B-2 tourist visas, F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitor visas, H-1B work visas, L-1 intracompany transfer visas, or other temporary statuses. As such, individuals from a suspended country can still travel to the United States for temporary purposes if they meet the standard criteria for those visa types. This distinction has been emphasized by the State Department and by reporting on the policy, which underscores that the directive targets only permanent or immigrant visa pathways.

Another important nuance is that immigrant visa interviews may still be scheduled and conducted at U.S. embassies and consulates for affected nationals, but no visas will be issued until the pause is lifted. Some consular officers have reportedly been instructed to refuse or hold cases that have completed interviews if the visa has not yet been printed—an action that has already ensnared applicants who were close to final approval when the policy took effect. This aspect has created confusion and hardship for people who had already invested time and resources in pursuing permanent residency.

Official State Department memoranda reflect that the visa suspension is framed as a temporary pause, without a published end date, but one tied to the completion of enhanced review processes. U.S. government officials have stated that the move is intended to “ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge,” although critics dispute the basis and legality of this rationale. As of now, the policy remains in effect indefinitely, and there is no publicly stated timeline for when immigrant visa issuance might resume for the affected nations.

This is a policy action affecting lawful pathways to permanent residency, not a blanket travel ban. Understanding this distinction—immigrant visa pause vs. non-immigrant travel restrictions—is crucial for individuals, attorneys, employers, and families navigating U.S. immigration systems in 2026.

The Full List of 75 Countries Affected by the Visa Suspension

The list of 75 countries whose nationals are affected by the U.S. visa suspension is extensive and spans six global regions: Africa, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, the Middle East & North Africa, the Caribbean & the Americas, and Central Asia. According to official compilations and multiple reporting sources that obtained the State Department’s list, all of the following nations are subject to the pause on immigrant visa issuances as of January 21, 2026.

In Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, the affected countries include Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.

Within the Middle East & North Africa, the list comprises Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan (overlapping Africa/MENA), Sudan (Africa/MENA), Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen—nations with diverse geopolitical contexts but grouped together under the suspension policy.

Across Asia & the Pacific and Central Asia, affected countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Fiji, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.

In Europe & Eurasia, the suspension applies to nationals of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Russia.

The Caribbean & Americas region contributions to the list include Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Uruguay.

An alphabetical list of all 75 nations affected is often presented for quick reference—and it makes clear how broad the geographic scope is, affecting countries from most inhabited continents and a wide range of development levels and political systems.

This comprehensive list is essential for anyone considering U.S. immigration options in 2026 and highlights just how widespread the policy’s reach is: from small island nations in the Caribbean to large countries like Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan.

Why the Visa Suspension Was Implemented: “Public Charge” and Policy Rationale

Officials in the U.S. government, particularly from the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, have described the 2026 visa suspension as a response to concerns about national self-sufficiency and public charge risks. The term “public charge” in U.S. immigration law refers to someone who is deemed likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance such as cash welfare or long-term institutional care. By issuing the suspension for 75 countries, the administration said it was expanding its ability to screen immigrants more carefully to prevent those considered high risk from receiving immigrant visas.

The policy builds on a broader shift in U.S. immigration priorities that began with directives in late 2025 to ensure that visa applicants are financially stable and have the means to support themselves without relying on public benefits. State Department memoranda cited in news reports indicate that consular officers worldwide are now instructed to refuse or hold visa applications for nationals of the listed countries until the visa adjudication process is reassessed, with the intention of strengthening vetting.

Critics—including civil rights organizations, immigration advocacy groups, and some U.S. lawmakers—argue that the public charge rationale is being misused as a pretext for a broader restriction on legal immigration, and that it disproportionately affects families, professionals, and people with strong ties to the United States. Lawsuits have already been filed challenging the policy on constitutional and statutory grounds, claiming that it discriminates against applicants on the basis of nationality and economic status without clear legal foundation.

Supporters of the suspension argue that the U.S. has a responsibility to ensure that new immigrants can sustain themselves and not become burdens on public finances, particularly in a contested economic and political environment. Official State Department guidance emphasizes that the suspension is temporary and tied to a comprehensive review of vetting procedures rather than a permanent exclusion, although no end date has been set.

Ultimately, whether the suspension remains in effect, is modified, or is overturned by courts will shape U.S. immigration policy and foreign relations for years to come. The policy’s implementation reflects broader debates about the balance between immigration control, economic opportunity, humanitarian obligations, and family reunification.

Exceptions, What’s Not Affected, and Practical Impacts

A key element of the visa suspension policy is what it doesn’t affect. According to the State Department and reporting based on its guidance, the pause applies exclusively to immigrant visas—those that lead to permanent residency. This means that non-immigrant visas, including tourist (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1, J-1), work visas (H-1B, L-1, etc.), and other temporary statuses remain unaffected. Nationals of the 75 countries can still pursue these temporary visas under the usual procedures, provided they meet eligibility criteria and consular adjudication standards.

Another important exception is for individuals who hold dual nationality. If a person from an affected country also has citizenship—and a valid passport—of a country not on the list, they may apply for an immigrant visa using the passport of their non-restricted nationality. This dual-nationality exemption has provided a path forward for some applicants who otherwise would have been blocked by the suspension.

Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—such as spouses, minor children, and parents—often have special avenues for expedited or preferential processing under immigration law. While the suspension covers immigrant visas broadly, consulates and the State Department have indicated that certain immediate relative cases may be considered on a discretionary, case-by-case basis, especially in situations involving hardship or urgent family unification. Such exceptions are often found in existing immigration statutes separate from the suspension order, but interpretation and implementation vary by post and by legal counsel guidance.

The practical impacts of this policy are significant: families separated across borders may experience indefinite delays, employers seeking to sponsor foreign talent may be unable to complete green card cases, and diversity visa lottery winners will have their processing halted. Individuals who had already completed interviews or received conditional approvals have reported that consular officers are being instructed to refuse or hold cases, even in situations where visas had been granted but not printed. This has created uncertainty and hardship for many applicants and U.S. citizens awaiting family reunification.

Those affected are advised to consult qualified immigration attorneys, explore alternative visa categories (such as non-immigrant work visas or student visas), consider dual-nationality options if applicable, and stay informed about legal challenges and potential policy reversals.

Comparison Tables (Featured Snippet Ready)

Summary of Visa Suspension Details

Regions With Countries Affected by Visa Suspension

Conclusion: A Major Visa Policy Change With Global Implications

The suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries represents one of the most expansive temporary immigration policy changes in recent U.S. history, affecting applicants from multiple continents and socioeconomic backgrounds. This policy—framed as a temporary measure to tighten screening for potential “public charge” cases—halts a key legal pathway to permanent residency in the United States for nationals of these countries.

While the suspension affects only immigrant visas and leaves non-immigrant travel routes open, the impacts on family reunification, employment-based immigration, and diversity visa lottery winners are profound. Nationals of affected countries must navigate a complex, uncertain landscape of restrictions, exceptions, and potential legal challenges to pursue their immigration goals.

Dual nationals and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may retain some options, but for many others, the indefinite nature of the pause means significant delays and disruption. The ongoing legal challenges and political debate over the policy’s validity suggest that this remains an evolving story that could shape U.S. immigration policy and global mobility for years to come.

Staying informed through official U.S. government sources such as the State Department’s visa news pages and consulting qualified immigration counsel are crucial steps for individuals affected by this sweeping suspension.