Beginning on January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State paused immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries with additional 39 banned countries. 19 of the 39 countries have ban on both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. 

Notes regarding the 75 countries pause and the 39-country ban:

Reminder, personnel with existing, already-issued immigrant visas remain valid at this time pending any adjustment of status.

 An Exception to Policy (ETP) from the appropriate authority (DoD/W providing that there is national interest exemption , Not Hardship)

• Best Example:
• Military member with specific skill set in the national interest of the U.S.
• Dependents present a Hardship case (currently no exceptions)

 The 75-Country Immigrant Visa Pause:

• Partial Ban: Suspended immigrant visas and some temporary nonimmigrant visas for 20 other countries.

 Suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026.

• The stated purpose is to reassess "public charge" rules, which evaluate if an applicant is likely to become financially dependent on the U.S. government.
• Impacts only immigrant visas (for permanent residency), not nonimmigrant visas (like for tourism or students).
• 75 countries:
• Africa (26 Nations): Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda.

 The Americas (17 Nations): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.

 Asia-Pacific & Middle East (25 Nations): Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

 Europe (7 Nations): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia.

 The 39-Country Travel Ban:

 Travel bans to 39 countries, effective January 1, 2026, with two levels of restrictions.

• Full Ban: Barred both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for 19 countries.
• The 39-Country Travel Ban:
• On December 16, 2025, the Trump administration expanded a previous travel ban to include a total of 39 countries, effective January 1, 2026.
• Full Travel Ban (19 countries)
• Nationals from these countries are barred from both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance:
• Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar),Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen
• Additionally, individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are also subject to a full ban.

 Partial Travel Ban (20 countries)

• For these countries, immigrant visa issuance and nonimmigrant visas for temporary visitors (B), students (F, M), and exchange visitors (J) are suspended:
• Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan (immigrant visas banned, nonimmigrant visas permitted), Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Beginning on January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State paused immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries with additional 39 banned countries. 19 of the 39 countries have ban on both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. 

Notes regarding the 75 countries pause and the 39-country ban:

Reminder, personnel with existing, already-issued immigrant visas remain valid at this time pending any adjustment of status.

 An Exception to Policy (ETP) from the appropriate authority (DoD/W providing that there is national interest exemption , Not Hardship)

• Best Example:
• Military member with specific skill set in the national interest of the U.S.
• Dependents present a Hardship case (currently no exceptions)

 The 75-Country Immigrant Visa Pause:

• Partial Ban: Suspended immigrant visas and some temporary nonimmigrant visas for 20 other countries.

 Suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026.

• The stated purpose is to reassess "public charge" rules, which evaluate if an applicant is likely to become financially dependent on the U.S. government.
• Impacts only immigrant visas (for permanent residency), not nonimmigrant visas (like for tourism or students).
• 75 countries:
• Africa (26 Nations): Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda.

 The Americas (17 Nations): Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.

 Asia-Pacific & Middle East (25 Nations): Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

 Europe (7 Nations): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia.

 The 39-Country Travel Ban:

 Travel bans to 39 countries, effective January 1, 2026, with two levels of restrictions.

• Full Ban: Barred both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for 19 countries.
• The 39-Country Travel Ban:
• On December 16, 2025, the Trump administration expanded a previous travel ban to include a total of 39 countries, effective January 1, 2026.
• Full Travel Ban (19 countries)
• Nationals from these countries are barred from both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance:
• Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar),Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen
• Additionally, individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are also subject to a full ban.

 Partial Travel Ban (20 countries)

• For these countries, immigrant visa issuance and nonimmigrant visas for temporary visitors (B), students (F, M), and exchange visitors (J) are suspended:
• Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan (immigrant visas banned, nonimmigrant visas permitted), Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe