As of January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has implemented a temporary freeze on immigrant visa issuances for nationals of 75 countries. This move is part of a broader review focused on public charge concerns, and it directly impacts individuals seeking to obtain green cards from U.S. embassies or consulates abroad. If you’re one of the nationals from these affected countries, it’s important to understand what this means for your visa application, what types of visas are still being processed, and how this pause will not impact those who are already inside the United States.

Which Immigrant Visas Are Blocked?

The new policy means that immigrant visas for nationals from the 75 designated countries are temporarily paused. Immigrant visas typically include those related to family-based applications, employment-based applications, and special immigrant categories, as well as diversity visas.

If you are seeking a green card through consular processing, this means your visa application will likely be delayed. The key immigrant visas that are affected include:

Family-based immigrant visas: These include IR/CR visas (Immediate Relative/Conditional Resident) as well as preference-based family petitions.
Employment-based immigrant visas: Applicants for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and other categories of employment-based green cards are included in the suspension.
Diversity Visa (DV) program: If you’re a winner of the DV lottery from one of the 75 affected countries, your visa processing will be paused.
Other immigrant categories: Any other green card category that involves consular processing, such as special immigrant visas, is also impacted.

The pause means that although consulates may still conduct interviews and assess applications, the actual visa will not be issued during the freeze. This can result in significant delays for applicants waiting for approval. However, it’s important to note that this is a suspension of the visa issuance process, not the visa application process itself, meaning the interview and other adjudicatory steps may still proceed.

How Will This Affect the Visa Interview Process?

For most applicants from the affected countries, the immediate result is a 221(g) denial. This means that even if the applicant is found to be otherwise eligible for a visa during the interview, the consulate will refuse to issue the immigrant visa under the 221(g) denial code. This type of denial is often used when a visa cannot be issued immediately, and the case is placed on hold until further instructions are provided, in this case, until the suspension is lifted.

This doesn’t mean that the application is permanently denied, but rather that the visa will not be issued at that time. The consulate will typically inform the applicant that the case is under “administrative processing” and that they should wait for further notification. Unfortunately, there’s no clear timeline as to how long this processing delay might last, and applicants will need to keep an eye on announcements from the U.S. Department of State.

Which Visas Are Still Being Processed?

While the pause affects all immigrant visa issuances, it does not impact nonimmigrant visas. This includes temporary visas such as:

Tourist visas (B-1/B-2)
Student visas (F-1, J-1)
Work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.)
Other temporary nonimmigrant classifications

For individuals applying for these types of visas, the application process should continue as normal. However, applicants from the affected countries may still face heightened scrutiny or other additional requirements at the consulate level, particularly given the broader context of these bans.

What About Those Inside the U.S.?

One key point of reassurance for individuals already inside the U.S. is that this consular visa freeze does not directly impact those who are in the U.S. and applying for Adjustment of Status (AOS) to obtain a green card. If you are already inside the U.S. and are pursuing AOS through USCIS, the suspension of immigrant visa issuances at U.S. consulates should not halt your application or delay your green card processing.

That being said, Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) applications are still subject to public charge rules, which may come into play depending on your circumstances. While the freeze impacts consular processing, USCIS may still consider certain factors related to public charge as part of AOS applications. As of now, USCIS has not issued specific guidance regarding how the 75-country suspension will impact AOS processing for nationals of these countries. We’re awaiting official clarification from USCIS on how this will be handled moving forward, especially regarding Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and the overall adjudication of green card applications.

What Happens Next?

This situation remains fluid. The Department of State has stated that the suspension of immigrant visa issuance is temporary, but it has not provided a timeline for when it will be lifted. It is also unclear how long the 221(g) refusals will continue to impact applicants, or whether additional countries will be added to the list.

For individuals who are already in the U.S. and applying for Adjustment of Status, there is no immediate impact—at least until we receive further guidance from USCIS. This is a crucial time to stay informed and ensure that you are prepared to navigate potential challenges in the application process.

What You Can Do

If you are from one of the 75 banned countries and have an immigrant visa application pending, here are a few steps you can take:

Monitor official updates: Stay informed about new announcements from the Department of State regarding the freeze. The situation may evolve, and lifting the suspension may happen sooner than expected.
Check your case status: For consular applicants, keep checking the status of your case on the National Visa Center (NVC) website or through your U.S. embassy’s case status page. If your case is still in processing, make sure your contact details are up to date.
Consult with an immigration lawyer: If you’re unsure how this affects your case or need help navigating the delays, an immigration attorney can help clarify your options and guide you through the process.

For those already in the U.S. and applying for Adjustment of Status, it’s still critical to monitor updates from USCIS. While the consular processing freeze does not directly affect AOS applications, adjustments to immigration policy can happen swiftly, and USCIS may release clarifications that could impact your case. Be proactive and prepared for any changes.

If you or someone you know is affected by this pause, don’t hesitate to reach out to an immigration attorney to discuss your options and get a clearer understanding of how this policy might impact your specific situation. Stay vigilant and stay informed as we await further guidance from USCIS and DOS.

If you or someone you know is affected by the recent visa freeze or has questions about the impact on your immigration case, don’t wait—call Shepelsky Law Group today at 718-769-6352 for expert guidance. Our experienced immigration attorneys are here to help you navigate these changes and protect your future in the U.S.

Need assistance now? Book a consultation with us to discuss your options and get the support you need.