There is finally some movement in the worldwide disruption of U.S. immigrant visa processing — but so far, the relief appears to be extremely limited.

The Trump administration has resumed immigrant visa processing at U.S. missions in Poland and Hungary, while immigrant visa appointments remain temporarily paused or disrupted at many other U.S. consulates around the world, according to a September 8, 2026 Reuters report published by U.S. News & World Report.

For families who have been waiting months or even years for immigrant visa interviews, the development offers some hope — but it also demonstrates how unpredictable consular processing has become in 2026.

What Happened?

Earlier this year, the State Department suspended immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries while it reviewed whether applicants were considered at greater risk of becoming dependent on U.S. public benefits.

That January 2026 policy affected applicants from countries including Russia, Belarus, Ukraine’s neighboring countries, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Colombia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and many others.

On August 21, 2026, a federal court struck down the 75-country visa issuance pause. The State Department subsequently confirmed that the January policy was no longer in effect.

But that did not mean immigrant visa interviews immediately returned to normal.

Following the court ruling, the State Department temporarily adjusted or postponed immigrant visa appointments worldwide while consular officers received new training concerning public-charge determinations and applicants’ ability to financially support themselves in the United States. Reuters reported that this broader disruption could potentially continue for months at some posts because consular personnel must complete the new training and certification process.

Poland and Hungary Are Now Moving Again

According to Reuters, the White House directed U.S. diplomatic missions in Poland and Hungary to prioritize immigrant visa processing, and processing resumed there during the first week of September.

This is particularly important for applicants whose immigrant visa cases are assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or Budapest.

The State Department has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for why these two countries were selected to resume processing ahead of other locations.

For applicants elsewhere, however, the larger immigrant visa appointment disruption remains an important concern.

What Does This Mean for Applicants From Russia?

Russian immigrants should pay particularly close attention to these developments.

The January 2026 policy specifically included Russian nationals among the 75 nationalities affected by the immigrant visa issuance pause. Although that particular policy was terminated following the federal court ruling, immigrant visa processing continues to be affected by the State Department’s broader changes to consular procedures and public-charge screening.

Russian citizens also face the additional complication that routine U.S. immigrant visa processing is not available in Russia itself, meaning their cases may be assigned to a designated U.S. consular post abroad.

Anyone with an approved I-130, approved employment petition, immigrant visa case at the National Visa Center, or upcoming consular interview should verify where the case is currently assigned and whether that particular consulate is scheduling immigrant visa interviews.

Do not assume that because Poland has resumed immigrant visa processing, every applicant can simply transfer a case to Warsaw.

Under current State Department rules, immigrant visa applicants are generally expected to interview in the consular district covering their place of residence or, when permitted, their country of nationality. Transfers to another post may require approval through the National Visa Center.

Public-Charge Screening Is Becoming More Important

The underlying issue behind these visa disruptions has not disappeared.

The State Department continues to emphasize whether intending immigrants are likely to become financially dependent on government benefits after entering the United States.

That means immigrant visa applicants should expect officers to examine issues such as:

the petitioner’s income and financial documentation;
Form I-864 Affidavit of Support;
household size;
joint sponsors;
the immigrant’s age and health;
employment history and job prospects;
education and professional skills;
financial resources; and
other circumstances relevant to whether the applicant is likely to become a public charge.

An applicant should not assume that simply submitting an I-864 automatically eliminates every potential public-charge concern.

Cases involving low petitioner income, unemployed applicants, significant medical conditions, insufficient documentation, complicated household arrangements, or questionable joint sponsors should be carefully reviewed before the immigrant visa interview.

If Your Interview Was Canceled, Do Not Start the Case Over

Applicants whose immigrant visa appointments were canceled or postponed because of the recent processing disruptions generally should not file a new immigrant petition simply because the interview was delayed.

Instead, determine:

whether the underlying I-130, I-140 or other immigrant petition remains approved;
whether the National Visa Center considers the case documentarily complete;
which U.S. embassy or consulate currently has jurisdiction over the case;
whether the interview has been canceled, postponed or is awaiting rescheduling; and
whether additional financial or public-charge documentation should be prepared before the new interview date.

The National Visa Center specifically advises applicants to use their CEAC accounts for current case status and required documentation.

Could Other Countries Be Next?

Possibly.

The resumption of processing in Poland and Hungary demonstrates that the State Department can restart immigrant visa operations at individual posts even while disruptions continue elsewhere.

But applicants should not rely on predictions about which country will be next.

In 2026, consular immigration policies have been changing rapidly. A case that appeared ready for an interview one week can encounter new screening requirements, appointment cancellations or procedural changes the next.

That makes preparation increasingly important.

What Immigrants Should Do Now

If you already have an approved immigration petition and are waiting for consular processing, do not simply wait without checking your case.

Make sure your civil documents are current.

Make sure the petitioner’s financial evidence is sufficient.

Confirm whether you need a joint sponsor.

Check your NVC case status.

Confirm which embassy is responsible for your interview.

And if you have complicated immigration history, prior visa refusals, unlawful presence, a public-charge concern, criminal history, prior misrepresentation, or another potential inadmissibility issue, address it before appearing at the consulate.

The reopening of immigrant visa processing in Poland and Hungary is encouraging news for some applicants, but it also highlights a larger reality: U.S. consular immigration processing remains unpredictable, and families should be prepared to act quickly when an interview opportunity becomes available.

Contact Shepelsky Law Group

Shepelsky Law Group assists clients with family-based immigration, immigrant visa consular processing, National Visa Center cases, I-130 petitions, employment-based immigration, public-charge issues, waivers of inadmissibility and complicated immigrant visa cases.

If your immigrant visa interview was canceled, your case has been sitting at the National Visa Center, or you are unsure where your interview will take place, speak with an immigration attorney before your case moves forward.

Call Shepelsky Law Group for a consultation at (718) 769-6352 or book your consultation on www.ShepelskyLaw.com to determine the best strategy for completing your immigrant visa process.