U.S. 75-Country Immigrant Visa Suspension Ended: What Applicants Should Know

Update – September 2026: The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that the January 2026 U.S.A Visa Suspension  for nationals of 75 countries ceased to be in effect on August 21, 2026, following a federal court order.

This article has been updated to explain what changed and to distinguish the former 75-country pause from separate U.S. visa and entry restrictions that remain in effect.

In January 2026, the U.S. Department of State temporarily paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries while it reviewed screening and vetting policies related to concerns about potential over reliance on public benefits by immigrants from these source countries.

The U.S.A Visa Suspension for 75 countries took effect on January 21, 2026 and applied specifically to immigrant visas, including many family-based and employment-based immigrant visa cases.

It did not apply to non-immigrant visas such as B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F and J student or exchange visas, or most temporary work visas.

During the U.S.A Visa Suspension for 75 countries, affected immigrant visa applicants could generally continue submitting applications and attending scheduled interviews. However, under the now suspended policy; the final visa grant was being witheld. Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country that was not on the 75-country list were exempt from the suspension.

That policy has now changed. The U.S.A. Department of State confirms that, as of August 21, 2026, the January 2026 U.S.A Visa Suspension for 75 countries is no longer in effect following a federal court order. Applicants from the 75 countries should therefore no longer assume that their immigrant visa cannot be issued solely because of the former January 2026 pause. Other eligibility requirements, screening procedures and separate U.S. visa or entry restrictions may still apply.

The following 75 nationalities were covered by the U.S.A Visa Suspension between January 21 and August 21, 2026:

75 Countries Covered by the U.S.A Visa Suspension

This list is retained for historical reference. The January 2026 immigrant visa issuance pause affecting these nationalities ended on August 21, 2026.

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. Burma (Myanmar)
16. Cambodia
17. Cameroon
18. Cape Verde
19. Colombia
20. Cote d’Ivoire
21. Cuba
22. Democratic Republic of the Congo
23. Dominica
24. Egypt
25. Eritrea
26. Ethiopia
27. Fiji
28. The Gambia
29. Georgia
30. Ghana
31. Grenada
32. Guatemala
33. Guinea
34. Haiti
35. Iran
36. Iraq
37. Jamaica
38. Jordan
39. Kazakhstan
40. Kosovo
41. Kuwait
42. Kyrgyz Republic
43. Laos
44. Lebanon
45. Liberia
46. Libya
47. Moldova
48. Mongolia
49. Montenegro
50. Morocco
51. Nepal
52. Nicaragua
53. Nigeria
54. North Macedonia
55. Pakistan
56. Republic of the Congo
57. Russia
58. Rwanda
59. Saint Kitts and Nevis
60. Saint Lucia
61. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
62. Senegal
63. Sierra Leone
64. Somalia
65. South Sudan
66. Sudan
67. Syria
68. Tanzania
69. Thailand
70. Togo
71. Tunisia
72. Uganda
73. Uruguay
74. Uzbekistan
75. Yemen

The U.S. Immigrant Visa Suspension for 75 countries is no longer in effect. According to the U.S. Department of State, the policy ceased to apply on August 21, 2026 following a federal court order. Applicants from the previously affected countries may continue with immigrant visa processing, subject to the normal requirements of their visa category and any other U.S. immigration or entry restrictions that apply to their circumstances.

Important: Separate U.S. Visa and Entry Restrictions May Still Apply

The end of the U.S.A Visa Suspension for 75 countries should not be confused with separate U.S. visa and entry restrictions introduced under Presidential Proclamation 10998.

Effective January 1, 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 fully or partially restricted visa issuance and entry for nationals of 39 countries, as well as certain people applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. These restrictions operate separately from the January 2026 75-country immigrant visa pause.

Under the proclamation, some nationalities are subject to broader restrictions covering both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, while others are subject to partial restrictions. Limited exceptions apply, including for certain lawful permanent residents, diplomatic or official travelers, qualifying dual nationals and other specified cases.

Applicants should therefore check whether their nationality is affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998 or another current U.S. visa restriction.

View current U.S. visa and entry restrictions.

For individuals and families who were affected by the former U.S.A Visa Suspension, the August 2026 change is significant. However, the end of this particular policy does not automatically mean that every immigrant visa can now be issued. Applicants must still meet the requirements of their visa category and may be affected by public-charge rules, security and background screening, Presidential Proclamation 10998, or other immigration restrictions.

Because U.S. visa policies have changed frequently during 2026, applicants should confirm the rules that apply to their nationality and visa category.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the U.S. Immigrant Visa suspension for 75-countries still in effect?
   No. The U.S. Department of State says that the January 2026 pause on immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries ceased to be in effect on August 21, 2026 following a federal court order.
2. Does this mean all U.S. visa restrictions on those 75 countries have ended?
   No. The ending of the 75-country pause applies only to that particular policy. Separate visa and entry restrictions may still apply, including restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
3. Did the 75-country policy apply to tourist or student visas?
   The January 2026 U.S.A Visa Suspension for 75 countries specifically concerned immigrant visa issuance. The Department of State stated that tourist visas were not covered by the pause. Non-immigrant applicants could nevertheless be affected by other screening requirements or separate visa and entry restrictions.
4. Were existing visas cancelled under the 75-country pause?
   No. The Department of State stated that existing immigrant visas were not revoked as part of the January 2026 pause.
5. Can applicants from the former 75-country list apply for immigrant visas now?
   The former 75-country pause no longer prevents immigrant visa issuance solely on that basis. Applicants must still satisfy all requirements of their immigration category and any other applicable U.S. immigration, visa or entry rules.

Updated U.S.A. Immigration Policy 2026: Complete Guide