The Highlights
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The U.S.’s new immigrant visa processing decision has come as a shock even to those in the know, and if you’re a current applicant, it’s perfectly fine to be confused about your next steps right now. Find out everything you need to know about the visa processing pause and how to navigate it with this Luo & Associates guide.
What is the Pause, and Why Was It Implemented?
The pause on immigrant visa processing was originally announced on January 14, 2026. This pause is not a blanket ban on all visa applications and only applies to 75 countries at the moment. These include Armenia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Tanzania, and more.
What’s the reasoning behind the countries selected for the pause? According to the official State Department notice, the ‘high-risk’ countries have been chosen based on the likelihood of applicants utilizing public benefits and/or becoming a ‘public charge’.
Which Visas Are Affected By the Pause?
If you’re applying for an H-1B visa and are worried about any disruptions, you don’t need to be. The pause on immigrant visa processing does not affect H-1Bs or any other nonimmigrant visa categories. The pause will impact the following visas:
- Family-sponsored immigrant visas (such as F1)
- Employment-based immigrant visas (EB-1 through EB-5)
- Diversity visa (DV) categories
As long as you’re updated with the latest H-1B visa changes and your application meets all the latest requirements, you should be good to go.
Your Next Steps
If the U.S. immigrant visa processing decision impacts your application, we recommend double-checking whether you can qualify for another immigration pathway or if an adjustment of status may be available. If you’d like expert help navigating the immigrant visa processing pause, contact our experts today.
Other than alternative pathways, the best action you can take right now is to continue gathering the required documents and staying prepared for interviews. Policies can change quickly, and you’ll want to be ready once processing resumes.
Let Us Help
An unexpected policy change can throw the best laid plans to the wind, but it doesn’t have to be that difficult. As the #1 visa lawyers in New York, Luo & Associates can help you secure a visa approval with smart case strategies and 10+ years of experience. Get a free initial consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there exceptions to the pause on immigrant visa processing?
Yes. Applicants who are dual nationals with a passport from a country that is not listed in the Jan 14 directive are exempt.
Does the visa processing pause impact my scheduled appointment?
You should still be able to attend your interview as scheduled. However, the pause can delay the issuance of the visa once it’s approved. Once U.S. immigrant visa processing resumes, you should be able to get your visa without a hitch.
How long will the pause on immigrant visa processing last?
The pause is currently indefinite, and there’s no reliable way to predict when processing might resume.
About the Author
Wen Luo, JD, is the managing attorney of Luo & Associates Law Group, P.C. in New York, which she founded in 2018. She has more than 10 years of experience in U.S. immigration law and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Her practice focuses on employment-based immigration, including H-1B, L-1 (including L-1A/EB-1C for multinational companies), O-1, EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 petitions, adjustment of status (I-485) and naturalization. She works with clients in English and Chinese.