Urgent Alert
Jan 14, 2026 4 min readReported Pause on Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries
A summary of a reported State Department memo suggesting a temporary pause on immigrant visas for select countries while screening rules are reassessed.
This is based on media reports of internal memos. Always verify current instructions on official State Department or consulate websites before taking action.
What We Know
Key Takeaways
- Reported start date of January 21, 2026
- Applies to approximately 75 designated countries
- Exceptions expected to be extremely limited
- Focus on reassessing "Public Charge" vetting rules
Context
The reported memo cites a need to reassess screening protocols under existing "Public Charge" grounds — which consider an applicant's health, age, financial status, and English proficiency.
This suggests a shift toward more rigorous vetting rather than a permanent ban, though processing timelines will likely be affected indefinitely.
Affected Countries (Sample)
AfghanistanBrazilIranNigeriaRussiaSomaliaThailandYemen+ 67 others
Official Resources
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