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15 January 2026

US DHS announces pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries

On 14 January 2026, the Department of State (DOS) announced that it will "pause all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants" who are nationals of 75 countries "at high risk of public benefits usage." The pause is effective as of 21 January 2026. The pause affects only immigrant visa applicants, i.e., foreign nationals seeking a visa that permits them to take up permanent residence in the United States, and will not apply to nonimmigrant visas applicants (e.g., business visitors, international students, H-1B and L-1 workers), although many of the listed countries are already impacted by the travel restrictions that went into effect on 1 January 2026 and last year. DOS has not advised when the pause will be lifted as of the date of publication for this Alert.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY Law LLP group, and attached below, provides additional details.

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Attachment

Full text of Tax Alert

Document ID: 2026-0206

 
 

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