The U.S. State Department has confirmed that a pause on immigrant-visa issuance affecting nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect. The restriction ended on August 21, 2026, following an order in the federal case CLINIC et al. v. Rubio et al. The department published its updated guidance on August 28.
The policy had been introduced on January 21 as the government reviewed whether applicants from designated countries might become dependent on public benefits. It applied specifically to immigrant visas, including many family- and employment-based cases.With the pause lifted, eligible applicants may submit documents, attend consular interviews and have their immigrant-visa applications adjudicated. Approval is not automatic: applicants must still satisfy financial-support, public-charge, security, medical and other admissibility requirements.The previous pause did not apply to tourist visas, and the State Department says no valid immigrant visas were revoked under the measure.Why it matters: The decision removes a significant processing barrier for applicants from the affected countries and allows stalled family- and employment-based cases to move forward.
