Department of State pauses immigrant visas for nationalities with high public charge risk
The Department of State announced a pause in the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of countries considered at high risk of using public benefits. The measure went into effect on January 21, 2026 and does not affect tourist visas or scheduled interviews.
The U.S. Department of State published an official update on the processing of immigrant visas for nationalities considered at high risk of using public benefits, with a last updated date of January 14, 2026.
You may also read. “White House issues executive order to strengthen border control and immigration policy”
According to the announcement, President Trump has reiterated that immigrants must be economically self-sufficient and not become a burden on U.S. taxpayers. As part of this directive, the Department of State is conducting a comprehensive review of its policies, regulations, and guidelines, with the goal of ensuring that immigrants from these countries do not rely on social assistance in the United States.
As a result of this review, starting January 21, 2026, the Department of State will pause the issuance of immigrant visas for applicants who are citizens of the countries listed below. This pause is temporary and is limited exclusively to immigrant visas (permanent residence).
Affected countries: among the 75 countries included in this pause are Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and other states in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe (full list published in the official announcement).
Exceptions and clarifications:
Nationals of affected countries who hold dual nationality and present a passport from a non-listed country are exempt from this pause.
Immigrant visas that have already been issued have not been revoked.
The pause does not apply to visitor visas (B1/B2), temporary work visas, or other nonimmigrant visas.
Do you want to understand how this pause on immigrant visas may affect your process or that of your clients?
If you wish to learn how eligibility policies work, the public charge concept, consular requirements, and the preparation of immigration applications and forms, Paralegal Institute of the Americas offers educational programs designed with practical information based on official sources.
Contact us to learn about the training options offered by Paralegal Institute of the Americas and move forward with reliable information.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.
For more information on these topics, visit Paralegal Clases’ social media pages and join our live sessions every Wednesday.
Instagram: @Paralegalclases
Facebook: Instituto Paralegal de las Américas
Youtube: Instituto Paralegal
Tiktok: @Paralegalnews
You may also like
