08/29/2026
The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that the immigrant visa issuance pause affecting nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect as of August 21, 2026, following a federal court order. The pause, which began on January 21, 2026, had affected immigrant visa applicants from the countries listed below.
The affected countries were Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
For applicants from these countries, the end of the pause means immigrant visa processing can move forward again. However, the end of the pause does not guarantee visa approval, and each case remains subject to applicable U.S. immigration laws and consular processing requirements.
If you or your family member was affected by the immigrant visa pause, Raju Law can help you understand what this change means for your case and what steps you may need to take next. Contact Raju Law for professional guidance on your U.S. immigration matter.
Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html?fbclid=IwcGRvZgNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8yNzUyNTQ2OTI1OTgyNzkAAR4_JC1YV_KqZ_V2-JyCoONJvXDPL00hfwXrcAGXkeevFfdaLYdnnffREREcYw_aem_bRymZj2XEaEog40-RoEwOg