In one of the most sweeping immigration actions in recent history, the US has indefinitely frozen immigrant visa processing for 75 countries. If you're from one of these nations and hoping to get a green card, your path just got a lot harder.
The Bottom Line
Starting January 21, 2026, the State Department will stop processing immigrant visas (green cards) for citizens of 75 countries. This affects both family-based and employment-based immigration.
What's NOT affected:
- Tourist visas (B1/B2) — You can still visit
- Student visas (F1) — You can still study
- Work visas (H1B, L1, etc.) — You can still work temporarily
- Existing green cards — If you already have one, you're fine
Who's Affected?
The suspension hits hardest in Africa (27 countries), but also covers significant portions of Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
Africa (27 countries)
- Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia
- Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia
- Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal
- Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan
- Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda
Americas & Caribbean (18 countries)
- Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia
- Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti
- Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Uruguay
Asia & Middle East (17 countries)
- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, India
- Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon
- Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Yemen
Europe & Central Asia (14 countries)
- Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Georgia, Kazakhstan
- Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Uzbekistan
Oceania (2 countries)
The Official Reason
The State Department says it's targeting countries "whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates." The policy uses "public charge" criteria — evaluating whether applicants might rely on government benefits based on factors like:
- Health status
- Age
- English proficiency
- Financial resources
The Bigger Picture
This is just one piece of a broader immigration crackdown. Combined with earlier travel bans, the administration has now restricted immigrant visas for 90 different countries — including 70% of African nations.
According to Brookings Institution data, 2025 marked the first year in over 50 years that the US lost more immigrants than it gained.
What Happens Now?
If you're from an affected country with a pending green card application, it's essentially frozen. The State Department hasn't announced an end date — the suspension is indefinite.
For those still wanting to visit the US, tourist and business visas remain available, though some countries now face additional bond requirements of up to $15,000.