US Pauses Immigration Applications for 39 Countries and the Palestinian Authority

(UNITED STATES) — Form I-765, application for employment authorization has become a pressure point for many immigrants and students after USCIS confirmed an expanded adjudication pause that can halt decisions on covered benefit requests for certain nationals, including some holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents.

For most people, Form I-765 is how you request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), often called a “work permit.” If your EAD is paused, the ripple effects can include delayed hiring, I-9 reverification problems, and loss of work authorization if you cannot file a timely renewal.

this guide explains who files form I-765, how to file it correctly, and what the adjudication pause can mean for your pending immigration applications.

💰 Current Fee: Form I-765 fees depend on your eligibility category and filing method. Always confirm the amount at uscis.gov/fees before mailing. Wrong fees cause rejections.

⏱️ Processing Time: USCIS times are estimates, as of January 2026. Times vary by category and center. Check egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.

1) What an “adjudication pause” means for USCIS cases

An adjudication pause is a USCIS decision-making hold. It stops approvals and denials on covered benefit requests. It is not the same as an entry ban.

A travel restriction mainly affects visas and admission at the border. An adjudication pause can affect people already in the United States. Your case may be accepted and receipted, but not decided.

USCIS has described the pause as targeting certain nationals. It also targets some holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents. The scope described includes many benefit types.

Examples of benefits described as affected include:

• Adjustment of status “green card” cases
• Naturalization cases and oath scheduling
• EAD applications, including OPT and STEM OPT
• Changes or extensions of nonimmigrant status
• Asylum-related processing, as described in agency directives

For Form I-765 filers, the practical issue is simple. If the EAD is not adjudicated, you may not receive a card in time. That can interrupt work authorization.

2) Official statements and the government’s stated rationale

USCIS and DHS have framed the pause around national security and public safety. USCIS has stated it is focused on “high-risk countries of concern,” including overstay and fraud concerns.

USCIS also acknowledged that processing delays will fall on some applicants. DHS messaging has also emphasized strict screening for citizenship cases.

The public framing has contrasted earlier “pro-citizenship” messaging with later operational restrictions. Messaging shifts can signal direction. They do not automatically create legal rights.

A document timeline described by the government shows the policy expanding from earlier restrictions into a broader implementation. The timeline culminates with the expanded pause taking effect on January 1, 2026.

3) Policy details: what “indefinite hold” looks like in real cases

An “indefinite adjudicative hold” usually means USCIS may stop final decisions while still taking some actions. The practical contours often include multiple partial actions.

• USCIS may stop final decisions.
• USCIS may still send receipt notices.
• USCIS may still issue RFEs or schedule interviews.
• Your case can remain pending with no clear end date.

For EAD cases, that uncertainty can be difficult. Many applicants rely on EAD continuity for payroll and benefits. Students rely on OPT and STEM OPT timelines.

USCIS also described a “comprehensive re-review” concept for certain people. It is described as applying to some entrants on or after January 20, 2021. Outcomes can include re-interviews and further holds.

In some cases, denials or revocations may be pursued where permitted by law. USCIS also described an exception pathway framed as “significant national interest.” Examples include certain medical research and critical infrastructure roles.

These exception requests are discretionary and require strong documentation.

4) Affected countries and how restrictions are applied

The government has described two broad restriction types: “full” and “partial.” In practice, “full” restrictions tend to mean wider coverage. “Partial” restrictions can mean narrower coverage or carve-outs.

Nationality is usually evaluated using current passport, prior passports, place of birth, dual citizenship evidence, and travel document type, including Palestinian Authority travel documents.

• Current passport
• Prior passports
• Place of birth
• Dual citizenship evidence
• Travel document type, including Palestinian Authority travel documents

Dual nationals can face fact-specific outcomes. USCIS may focus on the passport used for entry and may also look at other nationality indicators in the record.

The list described by the government covers 39 countries plus the Palestinian Authority. The exact “full” versus “partial” breakdown and totals are shown in the country list tool. Do not assume a country is included or excluded without checking the current government list.

Also separate two concepts: seeking a benefit inside the U.S. through USCIS, and seeking a visa or entry abroad through the State Department or CBP. They can overlap in impact, but they are not the same system.

5) Why this pause is different from past “extreme vetting” measures

The pause fits a broader “extreme vetting” posture. These policies often increase screening layers and interview rates, increase requests for evidence, and increase delays.

The catalyst described for the current policy was a late November 2025 shooting in Washington, D.C. Policymakers often respond with administrative holds after high-profile events.

The unusual feature here is scope. It can freeze benefits for people already living, studying, and working in the U.S., including renewals and status-related filings. For many families, it delays stability and long-term planning.

For employers, it raises continuity questions. A pending EAD is not the same as an approved EAD.

6) Practical impact: OPT/STEM OPT, employers, and litigation

Students and OPT / STEM OPT

OPT and STEM OPT EADs are timing-sensitive. If adjudication is paused, you may face delayed start dates, lost job offers, gaps in work authorization, and employer I-9 compliance problems.

You should also track your F-1 status compliance. Work authorization depends on a valid EAD and proper reporting. A pending Form I-765 does not always authorize work.

Employers and premium processing expectations

Employers may face stalled onboarding and project delays. Some filings use premium processing for related forms, but an adjudication pause can still stop final action and make premium processing less useful for end-to-end planning.

Employers should plan for reverification. They should document start-date flexibility where possible.

Litigation and advocacy

Early lawsuits typically argue procedural and constitutional theories. Common claims include APA, due process, equal protection, and statutory authority.

Early litigation rarely produces immediate, universal relief. Narrow injunctions are possible. Outcomes vary by court and facts.

A yes/no scenario tool can help you sort common situations. It walks through whether the pause may apply, based on nationality and benefit type, and flags when individualized review may matter.

7) Where to verify, and how to protect your case

Use a verification workflow that matches official documents to your situation. Below are recommended verification steps and resources.

1. Check USCIS updates. Use the USCIS Newsroom at uscis.gov/newsroom. Look for implementation guidance and FAQs.
2. Check proclamations and visa alerts. Review White House proclamations at whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions. Review State Department visa updates at travel.state.gov.
3. Match the details. Confirm the document date, title, and applicability language. Confirm whether it covers USCIS adjudications, not only entry.
4. Monitor your USCIS account. Track notices in your online account at my.uscis.gov. Keep your address current. Respond to RFEs on time.
5. Avoid scams and “expedite guarantees.” Expedite is discretionary. No third party can guarantee it. Be cautious with anyone promising a fast approval.

Who can file Form I-765 (basic eligibility)

You can file Form I-765 if you qualify under a listed eligibility category. Common categories include students, adjustment applicants, asylum-related filers, and certain nonimmigrants.

• Certain students requesting OPT or STEM OPT
• Certain applicants with a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
• Certain asylum applicants or those with pending asylum-related eligibility
• Certain nonimmigrants with work authorization incident to status, in limited situations
• Other categories listed in the Form I-765 instructions

Eligibility is category-specific. The adjudication pause can add a second barrier even when you qualify.

How to file Form I-765: step-by-step

1. Confirm your eligibility category. Use the categories listed at uscis.gov/i-765 and in the form instructions.
2. Check the correct filing address. Addresses vary by category and delivery service. Use only the “Where to File” instructions on uscis.gov/i-765.
3. Prepare the form carefully. Use your legal name consistently across all filings. Use the same A-Number and I-94 details.
4. Pay the correct fee. Confirm the fee at uscis.gov/fees (as of January 2026). Include the correct payment method.
5. Assemble supporting documents. Use the checklist below. Add category-specific evidence.
6. Mail or file online if eligible. Follow USCIS instructions for your category. Keep proof of delivery.
7. Track and respond. Watch for receipt notices, biometrics, or RFEs. Respond by the deadline.

Required supporting documents (Form I-765)

For OPT and STEM OPT, you typically submit evidence tied to your I-20 and program recommendation. For (c)(9) adjustment applicants, you typically submit the I-485 receipt.

Common mistakes that cause rejections or delays

• Paying the wrong fee amount or using the wrong payment method
• Mailing to the wrong lockbox address
• Selecting the wrong eligibility category code
• Missing signatures or using an outdated form edition
• Submitting unclear copies of ID or prior EADs
• Filing too late for renewal planning, given current uncertainty

Next steps

1. Download Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization from uscis.gov/i-765 and confirm your eligibility category in the instructions.
2. Verify your filing fee and payment method at uscis.gov/fees (as of January 2026).
3. Check current processing time estimates at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ and track your case at my.uscis.gov.
4. If you may be covered by the adjudication pause, monitor uscis.gov/newsroom for implementation updates and case-handling guidance.