The United States suspends the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and 72 other countries. The pause takes effect on January 21, 2026, and is linked to a review of U.S. migration policy aimed at preventing immigrants from using welfare and from becoming a “public charge.”
“President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient and not be a financial burden to Americans. The Department of State is undergoing a full review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from these high-risk countries do not utilize welfare in the United States or become a public charge,” the official statement of January 14 said.
Who is subject to the restrictions
The list includes 75 countries. Among them are several former Soviet states:
- Uzbekistan
- Kazakhstan
- Russia
- Belarus
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Georgia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
The list does not include Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, or Estonia. Thus, nine post-Soviet countries are affected by the new policy.
What this means for citizens
- Interviews: citizens of the listed countries may submit applications and attend interviews, but visas will not be issued until the pause ends.
- Exceptions: individuals with dual citizenship who apply using a passport from a country not on the list are not subject to the restrictions.
- Existing visas: immigrant visas already issued are not being revoked. Entry issues are regulated by DHS.
- Tourist visas: the restrictions apply only to immigrant visas; the pause does not apply to tourist visas.
Full list of countries whose citizens the U.S. State Department is suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to from January 21, 2026
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote 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.