US Ends Immigrant Visa Pause for Nationals of 75 Countries

The US government has lifted its January pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, following a court order. The pause was introduced in January 2026 and applied to immigrant visa applicants from countries including India's neighboring nations Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan.

The Department of State said the pause was introduced while it reviewed screening and vetting policies to ensure that immigrants would be financially self-sufficient and not become a public charge or use welfare in the US unlawfully.

Despite the pause, applicants from affected countries could still submit visa applications and attend interviews. The Department of State continued scheduling immigrant visa interviews during this period.