IMMIGRANT VISAS SUSPENDED FOR 75 COUNTRIES

Yasin Bilgehan Akalan
Attorney at Law
Immigration Law Expert – Akalan Law Firm

▶️ I. Introduction

The United States started 2026 with a major immigration policy shift. On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State released a broad update on immigrant visa processing. The update targets nationals of countries considered “high risk of public benefits usage.”

President Trump expects immigrants to be financially self-sufficient. As a result, immigrants should not create a financial burden on American taxpayers.

Above all, the review has produced a concrete operational outcome. The Department will suspend immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries. The suspension is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.

▶️ II. What does the suspension mean?

The suspension means that the United States will not issue immigrant visas to nationals of the countries listed. However, the suspension does not shut down the process completely. Consular posts will still accept applications. They will also schedule interviews. Applicants can still attend appointments.

Consequently, the process can look active while producing no result. Applicants may submit documents and complete interviews. Yet the case cannot finalize with visa issuance.

Exceptionally, dual nationals remain exempt from the suspension if they apply with a valid passport issued by a country that is not included in the suspended group. For example, individuals who hold both Azerbaijani and Turkish passports may obtain a visa by applying with their Turkish passport.

▶️ III. Which visa types are affected?

This directive applies only to immigrant visas. Immigrant visas cover applications made for permanent residence in the United States. In other words, they represent the process that leads to a Green Card.

Accordingly, the suspension does not target the following categories:

Tourist visas (B1/B2)
Student visas (F-1)
Temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.) are not directly covered.

However, a critical business distinction remains. Even if this policy does not restrict visitor visas, it can disrupt long-term planning. As a result, professionals who aim to transition to permanent residence may face more obstacles. At the same time, the Green Card pathway may become harder to execute over time.

▶️IV-Who are immigrant visa applicants?

▶️ IV-Who are immigrant visa applicants?

Immigrant visa applicants are individuals seeking permanent residence in the U.S. In general, four groups matter most to the business community.

1) Family-based immigration

A U.S. citizen or Green Card holder can sponsor a spouse or children. For that reason, this route supports long-term stability for executives and founders operating in the U.S. It also strengthens relocation continuity for the family unit.

2) Employer-sponsored Green Cards (EB categories)

A U.S. employer sponsors permanent employment-based immigration. Employers often follow formal compliance steps, including PERM. Additionally, these categories drive workforce stability and retention planning.

Common EB categories include:

EB-1: Multinational executives / individuals of extraordinary ability
EB-2: Advanced degree professionals / individuals with exceptional ability
EB-3: Professionals and skilled workers

In effect, these options shape talent mobility and leadership pipeline strategy. They also support long-term staffing plans for U.S. operations.

3) Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)

Diversity Visa winners can obtain immigrant visas through consular processing. Consequently, they may fall within the suspension scope. This can delay onboarding and relocation timelines.

4) EB-5 Investors

EB-5 applicants pursue a Green Card through a qualifying U.S. investment. Above all, this group directly involves investors with expansion or residency objectives. As a result, the suspension can impact capital planning and market-entry schedules.

▶️ V-Countries covered by the suspension

The suspension list covers a broad geography. It spans the Balkans, Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America. For example, the list includes:

Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen
Russia, Belarus
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal
Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, Eritrea, Ethiopia
Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua
Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia

Altogether, the directive includes 75 countries. Accordingly, companies should treat nationality exposure as a planning variable. They should also update mobility strategies and relocation timelines.

▶️ VI-Were existing visas cancelled?

The Department of State confirms that this directive did not revoke any immigrant visas. In other words, individuals who already hold a valid visa do not automatically lose its validity due to this policy.

However, visa validity does not guarantee entry. The Department of State does not control entry decisions at the border. Instead, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) holds primary authority over admission and entry procedures. Consequently, the Department of State directs entry-related questions to DHS.

This creates a practical outcome for frequent business travelers. At the same time, a person may hold a valid visa while facing additional review at inspection. In fact, the process may involve increased scrutiny at the border. For that reason, business travelers should factor border review risk into travel plans, meeting schedules, and relocation timelines.

▶️ VII-Rationale: The “Public Charge” approach is back in focus

This decision primarily revives the “public charge” concept in U.S. immigration law. Above all, the statement stresses financial self-sufficiency. It expects immigrants to support themselves. Accordingly, it aims to prevent immigrants from becoming an economic burden on Americans.

This rationale also reflects a broader policy shift. Immigration is no longer framed only through security or social concerns. Instead, authorities increasingly evaluate immigration through financial risk assessment. As a result, public finance considerations now play a stronger role in decision-making. In effect, economic eligibility becomes a core selection filter.

▶️ VIII-Why this matters for the business community

This policy affects more than individual applicants. It also affects companies linked to the U.S. market. For example, it impacts businesses investing in the U.S. It also impacts firms planning U.S. expansion. Additionally, it affects employers managing global mobility.

1) Family reunification delays may disrupt executive mobility

Entrepreneurs and executives often rely on family stability for continuity. Consequently, delays can disrupt leadership mobility. Relocation schedules may slip. At the same time, operational planning becomes harder. If the suspension continues, the disruption becomes structural.

2) Talent attraction and global workforce planning may become more challenging

Permanent residence pathways support retention and long-term staffing. However, restrictive policies raise uncertainty. Senior professionals may hesitate to commit to U.S. plans. As a result, companies may lose competitive advantage in recruitment. Additionally, talent may favor alternative markets like Canada or Europe. This shift can accelerate quickly in executive segments.

3) A major backlog at consulates is likely to build

Consulates may keep accepting cases and conducting interviews. Nevertheless, they will not issue immigrant visas during the suspension. Consequently, cases will stay in “pending” status. After that, once restrictions lift, a heavy processing backlog is likely. This can extend timelines well beyond the suspension itself.

▶️ IX-Conclusion: U.S. immigration is becoming more selective and financially filtered

▶️ X-Conclusion: U.S. immigration is becoming more selective and financially filtered

This policy signals a new phase in U.S. immigration strategy. Permanent residence pathways now depend more on economic eligibility. In other words, financial sufficiency becomes a decisive screening tool.

Some processes may still appear normal on paper. Even so, the outcome remains unchanged for many applicants. Immigrant visas will not be issued during the suspension. For that reason, businesspeople must treat immigration as a planning variable. It is no longer only administrative. In effect, it becomes part of business strategy and risk management.

In the coming months, businesses should track three developments. Firstly, companies must monitor the suspension duration. Secondly, they should watch for expansion of the country list. Finally, they must follow how “public charge” standards are applied in practice.

Under these conditions, the best approach is not single-scenario planning. Instead, companies should build alternative pathways. They should start processes early. Additionally, they should strengthen financial eligibility profiles to reduce risk.

▶️ REFERENCES

U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). 9 FAM 302.8 (U) Public charge—INA 212(a)(4). Foreign Affairs Manual. Retrieved January 16, 2026, from https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam030208.html

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2025, July 8). Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants. Retrieved January 16, 2026, from https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-employment-based-immigrants

U.S. Department of State. (2026, January 14). Immigrant visa processing updates for nationalities at high risk of public benefits usage. Travel.State.Gov. Retrieved January 16, 2026, from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html