US pauses immigrant visa processing from 75 countries

Описание: 1. Suspension Applies Mainly to New Immigrant Visa Processing

The U.S. State Department announced it will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing (i.e., visas for permanent residency/family-based or employment-based green card applicants) for citizens of about 75 countries. This pause is set to begin January 21, 2026 while procedures are reassessed, especially around “public charge” (likelihood of needing government benefits).

🧳 2. Nonimmigrant Visas (Tourist, Student, Business) Are Not Suspended

According to official reporting, the suspension does not apply to nonimmigrant visas such as:

Visitor visas (B-1/B-2)

Student visas (F, M)

Temporary work visas (H, L, etc.)
These categories continue to be processed normally, although enhanced screening may be added.

🚫 3. Does It Stop People with Existing Valid Visas from Entering?

No. This new suspension affects issuing new immigrant visas — it *does not cancel or revoke *existing valid visas already issued outside the affected pause. People who hold valid visas that were issued before the suspension should still be able to enter under current visa rules, unless other separate travel bans apply. There isn’t indication of a blanket ban on entry for existing visa holders from countries on this list.

⚠️ 4. Separate Travel Bans & Restrictions Still Matter

There are other proclamations and travel bans (for example Presidential Proclamation 10998) that do fully restrict entry and visa issuance for nationals of certain countries (e.g., some on security grounds). Those are separate policies from this processing suspension. Under those bans, existing visas may be limited in use depending on the specific rule.
Attribution:
Author: Insider
Created via AlienArt.io

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/trav...

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Hall of the Mountain King by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...