Moving to the USA from Iran: Travel Ban, Visas and Options in 2026

Iran is on the full restriction list of Proclamation 10998, which took effect on January 1, 2026 and has no end date. Iran was already fully restricted under the earlier June 2025 proclamation. For Iranian nationals this means:

• Immigrant visas (family and employment green cards processed abroad) are suspended.
• Nonimmigrant visas, including visitor (B), student (F and J), and work visas, are suspended.
• USCIS is holding final decisions on many pending applications filed by nationals of travel-ban countries for extra review.

The exceptions are narrow. They include green card holders, dual nationals traveling on a passport of a country that is not on the list, certain diplomatic and international organization visas, athletes and coaches traveling for major events such as the World Cup or Olympics, and some special immigrant visas for US government employees. Visas issued before the ban took effect were not revoked. There is also an exception for immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. There is no general exception for spouses or children of US citizens.

Separately: Since August 25, 2026, the State Department has paused immigrant visa interviews at US embassies and consulates worldwide while consular officers are trained on public charge reviews. Scheduled interviews were moved to later dates, and no restart date has been announced as of September 2026. Visitor, student, and temporary work visas are not part of this pause. Details: immigrant visa pause. Iran was also on the January 2026 list of 75 countries with paused immigrant visas, which a court vacated on August 21, 2026 (the government has appealed).

• Dual nationals. If you also hold citizenship of a country that is not on the ban list, you may apply with that passport, if you qualify for the visa. Note that dual Iranian nationals cannot use ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program; they must apply for a visa.
• Green card holders returning to the US are not blocked by the ban. Long trips abroad can still put permanent residence at risk; see reentry permits.
• Religious and ethnic minorities seeking immigrant visas fall under a specific exception.
• Family petitions can still be filed with USCIS to secure a priority date, even though visas cannot be issued while the ban lasts.
• Iranians already in the US on valid status should be careful about travel, since a new visa may not be issued. USCIS may also hold decisions on applications such as green cards or extensions. Get legal advice before leaving the US.

Always speak to a licensed US immigration lawyer before paying for any application.

For an overview of every route, see our guide to US immigration and how US immigration works.

Not under normal rules while the ban lasts. Iran is not in the Visa Waiver Program, and B-2 visitor, F-1 student, and J-1 visas for Iranian nationals are suspended unless an exception applies. Visas issued before the ban took effect were not revoked, but US Customs and Border Protection still decides each entry. Iranian students already in the US should talk to their school's international student office before any travel.

E-1 and E-2. Iranians used to qualify for treaty trader and investor visas under the 1955 Treaty of Amity. The US terminated that treaty, and the State Department no longer lists Iran as an E-1 or E-2 treaty country.

Green cards. Family immigration has been the main route for Iranians. Iranians use rest-of-world dates in the Visa Bulletin, but no immigrant visa can be issued to an Iranian national while the ban lasts unless an exception applies. People inside the US who qualify to adjust status should expect USCIS holds.

Diversity Visa. Iran has historically been an active DV country, and Iranians were not on the DV-2026 ineligible list. However, the ban blocks visa issuance to Iranian winners. The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery is paused: visa issuance stopped on December 23, 2025, and DV-2027 registration never opened. See DV lottery paused.

Protection. People who fear persecution should get advice about asylum or refugee options from a licensed immigration lawyer. See refugee and asylee green cards and refugee cap 2026.

The United States and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since 1980, and there is no US embassy in Iran. According to the State Department's Iran page:

The US Virtual Embassy Iran website publishes guidance in English and Persian. Under the ban, most applications cannot be approved unless an exception applies. See our consular processing guide.

If you qualify for an exception or are preparing a future case, the State Department's Iran page lists:

• Birth certificate: the Shenasnameh (birth certificate booklet) from the National Organization for Civil Registration. Submit copies of all pages.
• Police certificate: police records are available in Iran but, according to the State Department, not required for immigrant visa applicants because US posts cannot verify them.
• Marriage and divorce: marriage and divorce certificates registered with a notary office, with the events recorded in the Shenasnameh.

Persian documents need certified English translations.

The largest Iranian American community is in Los Angeles, California, especially Westwood (sometimes called "Tehrangeles"), Beverly Hills, and the San Fernando Valley. Large communities also live in Orange County (Irvine), the San Francisco Bay Area, the Washington, DC area, Houston and Dallas in Texas, and New York. Iranian American cultural and professional organizations often host free legal information sessions.