(UNITED STATES) The State Department has imposed an an immediate, indefinite pause on processing immigrant-visa applications for nationals of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026, a move that halts many family- and employer-sponsored green card cases at U.S. consulates. The administration says the change is tied to “maximum-degree vetting” and a tougher posture toward applicants viewed as likely to become public charges.
The freeze lands on families waiting to reunite and employers trying to set start dates, even as many temporary visa categories continue to operate under separate, tighter rules. This update also comes alongside a revived visa-bond program, tiered entry restrictions from a presidential proclamation, broader social media screening, and new limits on interviews, biometrics, and work authorization.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combined effect is not one policy shift, but a redesign of how U.S. screening works across the life cycle of a case—from the first consular form to the final entry inspection.
Immigrant-visa processing paused for 75 nationalities
The Immigrant Visa Freeze is a stop on consular processing for immigrant visas for nationals of the listed countries. In practice, “processing” includes steps like accepting and moving cases through pre-interview review, scheduling interviews, conducting interviews, and issuing immigrant visas after approval.
For many families, that means cases that were documentarily complete can still stop before an interview slot or final issuance. Nationality for consular processing is typically tied to citizenship shown in a passport.
That matters for dual nationals, because the passport used and the citizenship claimed drive which rules apply at the window. It also matters for derivative family members—spouses and children who “ride along” on a principal applicant’s case—because one person’s nationality can shape whether the whole family can travel together.
Officials justified the freeze as a way to apply “maximum-degree vetting” and to deter applicants they believe will become public charges. The public-charge concept is about whether an applicant is likely to rely on certain government benefits after entry.
Families often experience this as a demand for deeper proof of income, work history, and household support. The practical fallout shows up fast.
- Family reunification delays for spouses, parents, and children waiting abroad.
- Employer uncertainty for start dates, especially when a worker needs consular processing before entering the United States 🇺🇸.
- Expiring documents such as medical exams and police certificates, which often have limited validity and must be redone if the case stalls too long.
- Age-out pressure for some children who may lose eligibility when they turn 21, depending on the category and timing rules.
One boundary is clear. The immigrant-visa processing pause does not directly stop nonimmigrant visa categories like B-1/B-2 visitors, F-1 students, and H-1B specialty workers, and visas already issued remain valid.
Separately, visas issued after January 1, 2026 to nationals from restricted countries face reduced validity periods, which can shorten how long a person can use a visa before it expires.
Refundable visa bonds return for short-stay travelers
At the same time, the State Department has re-activated and enlarged a visa-bond program. The policy requires certain short-stay travelers from 25 countries with high overstay rates to post refundable bonds in the $5,000–$15,000 range before travel under covered visa types.
A refundable visa bond is a cash-backed guarantee. The traveler posts money up front, and the government can keep it if the person violates the terms of admission.
The stated aim is overstay deterrence: the bond is meant to push travelers to depart on time and follow visitor rules. Travelers should plan for real friction points.
- Liquidity. A bond ties up thousands of dollars, often for weeks or months.
- Logistics. Some travelers rely on third-party surety arrangements, which can add fees and paperwork.
- Timing. Even when a traveler complies, refunds can take time and often require strong proof of departure and compliance.
Compliance usually means departing before the authorized stay ends, keeping records that show exit, and avoiding unauthorized work or study. If the traveler violates terms, the bond can be forfeited, and future visa applications can face tougher scrutiny.
Tiered entry restrictions under the December 16, 2025 proclamation
A December 16, 2025 presidential proclamation, effective January 1, 2026, expanded restrictions to 19 countries. It uses a tiered structure that can look different depending on a traveler’s nationality and visa type.
Under full entry bans, both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are suspended for covered nationals who are outside the United States 🇺🇸 and did not hold a valid visa as of January 1, 2026. That creates a sharp divide between people who already had visas and those who were still waiting to apply.
Under partial bans, countries including Cuba, Venezuela, Burundi, and Togo face a narrower suspension that blocks B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F student visas, M vocational student visas, and J exchange visas. Other nonimmigrant categories can remain available but with reduced validity periods, including employment visas.
A valid visa is not a promise of entry. At the airport or border, Customs and Border Protection officers decide admission.
Travelers should expect heavier questioning and a higher risk of secondary inspection, especially when a person’s trip purpose, past travel, or documents raise follow-up issues. Where lawful, officers can also review devices and online activity, and travelers should be ready to explain inconsistencies.
Social media disclosure expands across student and work visas
The administration has also widened social media screening. As of June 18, 2025, F, M, and J applicants must set all social media profiles to public and list their social media handles on the DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application.
As of December 15, 2025, the same requirement applies to H-1B and H-4 applicants. consular officers expect applicants to disclose usernames and make profiles viewable for review tied to inadmissibility and national security checks.
The risk for applicants is not only what is posted, but what is missing. Omitting a handle can be treated as a credibility problem if it appears later in review.
Good documentation habits matter. Applicants should keep consistent usernames, preserve account access, and correct mistakes before interview day when possible.
Enhanced vetting also increases the chance of administrative processing, a post-interview hold while checks finish. That can stretch timelines for students trying to meet program start dates and workers trying to onboard.
USCIS adjudication freezes and re-examination of prior approvals
Inside the United States 🇺🇸, USCIS has frozen adjudications for applicants from high-risk countries, adding re-reviews, interviews, and deeper security assessments. A freeze like this often shows up as cases that stop moving, longer waits for interview notices, and more requests for evidence or notices of intent to deny.
More far-reaching is USCIS’s plan to re-examine certain previously approved immigration benefits for individuals from affected countries who entered the United States 🇺🇸 on or after a specified timeframe. The re-examination involves mandatory in-person interviews and renewed security determinations, with few or no interview waivers.
For immigrants, the lived impact is paperwork pressure. People may need to rebuild old address histories, travel logs, school records, and job documents.
Any mismatch across filings—such as different work dates on separate forms—can trigger deeper questioning. Maintaining lawful status where required remains essential, because a pause in adjudication does not pause immigration consequences.
USCIS information on immigration forms and benefits is available through the official agency site at USCIS.gov.
Biometric entry-exit expands beyond earlier pilot programs
A mandatory biometric entry-exit system effective December 26, 2025 expands collection to land crossings, pedestrian exits, private aircraft, vehicles, and sea departures. While U.S. citizens may opt out of facial biometric collection, noncitizens are enrolled in DHS’s biometric identity management system, with data retained for extended periods.
This shift changes the travel experience at places that once felt informal. More travelers will face camera capture or other biometric collection on entry and exit, and more trips will leave a searchable trail tied to identity records.
The policy also removes prior exemptions that previously applied to most Canadian visitors. Operationally, travelers should expect longer lines at peak times and more checks when records do not match.
After travel, it becomes more important to verify admission records, including the dates and class of admission, because future benefits can turn on those details.
Shorter Employment Authorization Document validity and workplace ripple effects
The administration has reduced the maximum validity of many Employment Authorization Documents, shortening work permits for employment-based immigrants. The employment card is requested using Form I-765, officially titled Application for Employment Authorization, available at Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Shorter validity means more frequent renewals, more filing costs over time, and more gaps risk if a renewal is delayed. Employers also feel the pressure through I-9 reverification timing and onboarding plans.
Dependents with work permission can face the same cycle, which can disrupt household income planning.
Universal in-person interviews reshape nonimmigrant visa timelines
Effective September 2, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants require in-person interviews, including F-1 students. Eliminating interview waivers changes the consular workflow immediately.
More applicants must compete for limited slots, and appointment backlogs can grow quickly during peak seasons. Applicants should treat the interview as a consistency test.
Answers must match the DS-160 and supporting documents, including school records, job letters, and financial proof where required. Longer timelines are also driven by administrative processing tied to security checks, which can occur even after a strong interview.
Legal challenges and fast-moving court fights
Immigration advocates are preparing litigation, arguing that the proclamation exceeds the President’s statutory authority and discriminates on the basis of nationality. Lawsuits of this kind can move quickly, especially when families are separated or employers face workforce disruption.
Such litigation can also produce uneven results across courts and time. Outcomes will likely vary by jurisdiction and case specifics.
