Suspension of Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries

The U.S. Department of State (“State Department”) has implemented an indefinite pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. Under this policy, immigrant visas for affected nationals will not be issued while the State Department reassesses screening and vetting procedures pursuant to existing immigration law.

Affected Countries

The pause applies to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following countries:

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.

Scope of the Pause

The State Department has confirmed that it will continue to accept immigrant visa applications and schedule consular interviews; however, no immigrant visas will be issued to affected nationals during the pause.

Notably, citizens of the above listed countries who are also in possession of other citizenships not listed above (i.e., dual nationals) applying for an immigrant visa with a valid passport from their other country of citizenship are exempt from this suspension.

This policy does not apply to nonimmigrant visas. Importantly, it also does not affect applicants seeking permanent residence through the adjustment of status process from within the United States through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).

Religious Worker Updates - DOS

EB-4 Certain Religious Worker (SR) Program

The EB-4 Certain Religious Worker (“SR”) program is scheduled to expire on January 30, 2026, unless Congress acts to reauthorize it.

If the program is not extended: 

• The SR category will become “Unavailable” immediately after midnight on January 29, 2026.
• No SR immigrant visas may be issued abroad, and USCIS will be unable to approve or finalize adjustment of status applications after that time.
• Immigrant visas issued prior to expiration will be valid only until January 29, 2026, and all SR applicants must be admitted to the United States by that date.

If the program is extended, the EB-4 Final Action Date of January 1, 2021 would apply to the SR category for the remainder of January and throughout February 2026.

R-1 Nonimmigrant Religious Workers - USCIS

On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced an interim final rule eliminating the one-year foreign residency requirement for certain religious workers in R-1 nonimmigrant status.

This change allows religious workers abroad—including priests, pastors, nuns, and rabbis—to return to the United States more quickly after reaching their maximum period of stay. While the EB-4 backlog remains unresolved and the future of the SR program remains uncertain, the elimination of the one-year foreign residency requirement provides immediate relief for faith-based institutions and increased flexibility for religious workers navigating visa delays.