The U.S. Department of State announced that effective January 1, 2026, the United States will fully or partially suspend entry for and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries, and individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. This is in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 10998.
The United States had already been fully or partially suspending entry for 19 countries, and so this new expansion adds new countries to the list and moves certain countries from the partially suspended to the fully suspended entry list.
Countries with full suspended entry
For all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories, individuals from the following countries have full suspended entry:
Afghanistan*
Burma
Burkina Faso
Chad*
Republic of the Congo*
Equatorial Guinea*
Eritrea*
Haiti*
Iran*
Laos**
Libya*
Mali
Niger
Sierra Leone**
Somalia*
South Sudan
Sudan*
Syria
Yemen*
and to individuals traveling on any travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority
There are limited exceptions for:
Certain diplomatic and official visas
Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
Dual nationals applying with a passport of a nationality not subject to a suspension
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees under 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D)
Participants in certain major sporting events
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
*This country was already on the full suspended entry list, per Presidential Proclamation 10949.
**This country was previously on the partially suspended entry list, per Presidential Proclamation 10949.
Countries with partial suspended entry
For nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas, individuals from the following countries have partial suspended entry:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burundi*
Cote D’Ivoire
Cuba*
Dominica
Gabon
The Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Nigeria
Senegal
Tanzania
Togo*
Tonga
Venezuela*
Zambia
Zimbabwe
There are the same limited exceptions for partially suspended as fully suspended countries.
*This country was already on the partial suspended entry list, per Presidential Proclamation 10949.
Additional rulings
In addition to the full and partial suspensions, two additional rulings were set:
• The Department of State is partially suspending visa issuance to nationals of Turkmenistan for all immigrant visas.
The same limited exceptions for fully and partially suspended countries also apply here.
• The following categorical exceptions provided in Presidential Proclamation 10949 for nationals subject to the suspension on entry are no longer available under the PP:
Immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5)
Adoption visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4)
Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
Updates on Pause on Decisions for Suspended Countries
In tandem with the countries receiving full or partial bans, the USCIS issued a policy memorandum to expand the adjudication pause on all immigration benefit requests from individuals subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998.
This memorandum, “Hold and Review of USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens From Additional High-Risk Countries,” instructs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services personnel to:
Place a hold on all pending benefit applications, subject to certain exceptions and regardless of entry date, for nationals of the countries listed in PP 10998, pending a comprehensive review.
Conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting processes for benefits requests for nationals of countries listed in PP 10998.
Conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests for nationals of countries listed in PP 10998 that were approved on or after January 20, 2021.
Further Immigrant Visa Processing Pauses
Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following 75 countries. Some of these countries are also affected by Presidential Proclamation 10988 detailed above.
This only applies to immigrant visa applications at U.S. Consulates abroad (not in-country I-485 Adjustment of Status applications).
Countries A–J
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
Countries K–Z
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
Yemen
What this means for employers and applicants
Anticipate extended timelines: Expect more extensive background and security checks.
Gather additional documentation: There may be requests for additional documents or clarification about eligibility.
Expect lengthier interviews: Prepare for follow-up interviews or re-interviews from USCIS.
Consult counsel: Before international travel, consult counsel especially where advanced parole or re-entry permits are on hold.
Facilitate additional processes: If you are an H-1B applicant or dependent, ensure your social media accounts are publicly viewable.
Prepare for delays: For adjudication on cases, officers may need more time to implement the new guidance, and cases may undergo review.
Source: Klug Law Firm
Together with our partners from Klug Law Firm, we are here to help.
If you would like assistance assessing how these policies may affect your immigration matters - including filing strategies, compliance planning, or addressing urgent deadlines - please contact the easytovisa immigration professional or call us on our main line at +381 64 826 85 59 or email us at visas@easytovisa.com.
