US Suspends Permanent Residency Visa Processing for 75 Countries
15th January 2026
Update, September 2026: on 21 August 2026 a US federal court set this policy aside (CLINIC v. Rubio), and the State Department now says the pause "is no longer in effect". The government filed an appeal on 10 September 2026; the ruling stands unless it is stayed. Other figures below have also moved on since January, as noted.
The US State Department has announced that permanent residency visa processing will be suspended for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026. The affected nations span Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe, including Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Thailand, Albania, Russia, Uruguay, and Egypt.
What This Means for Applicants
While visa applications can still be submitted and interviews scheduled, they will not progress to the point of visa issuance. The suspension applies only to permanent residency applications. Current valid visas remain unaffected, and the suspension does not impact temporary work visas, tourist visas, or other non-immigrant visa categories.
Dual nationals may still apply using a passport from a non-listed country. However, the duration of this suspension remains unclear, with concerns it could be indefinite.
Rationale Behind the Policy
The administration states the measure aims to ensure immigrants are "financially self-sufficient" and do not become reliant on public welfare programs. The policy builds on existing "public charge" inadmissibility grounds, which allow immigration officers to assess whether applicants are likely to depend primarily on government assistance.
The expanded rules introduced during Trump's first term were withdrawn in 2021 and replaced by a narrower rule in 2022. The Department of Homeland Security has also proposed rescinding the 2022 rule, which would widen the grounds on which applicants can be refused. (That rule was finalised on 20 July 2026 and took effect on 18 September 2026, per USCIS.)
Broader Immigration Restrictions
This suspension is part of wider immigration policy changes in 2026, including:
- Travel bans affecting 39 countries
- A historic low refugee admission cap of 7,500 for 2026 (raised to 17,500 in May 2026)
- A $100,000 payment on certain new H-1B petitions filed from 21 September 2025
- More than 622,000 removals between January and December 2025, according to DHS
Impact on Visitors and Temporary Workers
The suspension does not directly affect tourist visas, business travel, or temporary work visas such as H-1B, O-1, or P-1 visas commonly used by performers, athletes, and skilled professionals. However, increased scrutiny and processing delays may occur across all visa categories.
Paramount Visas' Guidance
For clients affected by these changes, we recommend reviewing your visa status and travel plans carefully. If you hold a current visa from an affected country, it remains valid. For those planning to apply for permanent residency or other US visas, early consultation is essential to understand your options and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
Contact Paramount Visas for expert guidance on US visa applications and immigration planning during this period of heightened restrictions.