On an X post earlier today, the State Department announced that it will be pausing immigrant visa (Green Card) processing for 75 countries. The post did not provide an end date, simply stating that the pause would remain in effect “until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”
The rule is yet another effort to restrict the long-term entry of foreign nationals into the United States. In November, for instance, the State Department instructed officers in U.S. embassies to consider the medical conditions of foreign nationals applying for immigration benefits and use their discretion to determine whether they may, in the future, become a public charge.
The pause is effective January 21, 2026, and applies to all immigrant visa processing for the countries below. Nonimmigrant visa processing should not be impacted by this news.
The list of countries subject to the immigrant visa pause are the following:
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