US Immigrant Visa Processing After the 75-Country Pause
A federal court vacated the State Department's pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries on August 21, 2026. The State Department says that pause is no longer in effect, and its current scheduling tool shows immigrant visa interviews being scheduled by post. Separate travel restrictions still apply to some nationalities.
The 75-country immigrant visa issuance pause was vacated Aug 21, 2026; immigrant visa interviews are scheduled by post when a visa is available.
The November 2, 2026 review could not confirm this status from current authoritative sources. The previously verified status is shown above.
On this page
- 75-country pause
- Began Jan 21, 2026; vacated Aug 21, 2026
- Court case
- CLINIC v. Rubio, Southern District of New York; on appeal to the Second Circuit
- Current interviews
- Scheduled by post when a visa is available
- Reason given
- Training consular officers on public charge guidance
- Current scheduling
- See the State Department IV Scheduling Status Tool
- Not affected
- Temporary visas (B, F, J, H-1B, L-1) and green cards filed with USCIS in the US
- Separate restriction
- Travel ban on 39 countries still applies
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 21, 2026 | The State Department pauses immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, citing concern that applicants could rely on public benefits |
| Aug 21, 2026 | Judge Jeannette A. Vargas (S.D.N.Y.) vacates the 75-country pause in CLINIC v. Rubio, finding it exceeded the Secretary of State's authority |
| Late Aug 2026 | The government appeals to the Second Circuit; some embassies begin reprocessing cases refused under the pause |
| Aug 25, 2026 | Some immigrant visa appointments were disrupted during public charge training |
| Late Aug to Sept 2026 | The plaintiffs ask the court to enforce its ruling, arguing the worldwide pause works as a substitute for the vacated policy |
| Sept 18, 2026 | The DHS public charge rule takes effect for green card cases in the US |
| Oct 2026 | The State Department scheduling tool shows NVC scheduling immigrant visa interviews by post |
The 75-country pause
The pause covered immigrant visas (family and employment green cards processed at US consulates) for nationals of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Iran, Jamaica, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, and Thailand. It did not cover temporary visas.
The court vacated the policy, meaning it was set aside as a whole, not only for the plaintiffs. The court reasoned that the law requires officers to decide each immigrant visa case on its own facts and bars nationality-based discrimination in issuing immigrant visas. The ruling stays in effect unless a higher court stays it. See our news on the ruling.
Current interview scheduling
The State Department's current IV Scheduling Status Tool shows National Visa Center interview scheduling by post. Applicants should check their assigned post and wait for an appointment notice; timing depends on document completion, visa availability, and local capacity. The Department also says applicants affected by the former 75-country issuance pause may still submit applications and attend interviews.
What it means
- The State Department says the 75-country issuance pause is no longer in effect following the court order.
- Immigrant visa interviews are scheduled by post when a visa is available. Check the official scheduling tool and your consulate.
- Nationals covered by Proclamation 10998 may still face separate visa and entry restrictions.
What to do now
- Watch your email and the consulate website for a new appointment. Do not travel to the consulate without a confirmed interview.
- Keep documents current. Medical exams, police certificates, and financial documents can expire while you wait.
- Strengthen your financial evidence and the Affidavit of Support. Our I-864 income calculator helps.
- If you are already in the US in valid status, ask a lawyer whether adjustment of status is possible for you.
- For urgent medical or humanitarian cases, ask the consulate about an expedited appointment.
- Talk to a licensed US immigration lawyer about your case, since the appeal and the pause can change quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Are US embassies processing immigrant visas right now?
Yes. The State Department IV Scheduling Status Tool shows interviews being scheduled by post when a visa is available. Check your assigned consulate and appointment notice.
Is the 75-country immigrant visa pause still in effect?
No. A federal court vacated it on August 21, 2026. The government has appealed, so this could change.
Does the pause affect tourist, student, or work visas?
No. Temporary visa interviews continue. The travel ban still limits some of them for nationals of 39 countries.
Does the pause affect green card applications inside the US?
No. Adjustment of status with USCIS is separate, though it is now more discretionary under a May 2026 USCIS memo.
I was refused because of the 75-country pause. What now?
Watch for messages from the consulate and National Visa Center. Some embassies began reprocessing those cases after the court ruling.
Official sources
- State Department: Visas Newstravel.state.gov
- State Department: The Immigrant Visa Processtravel.state.gov
- CLINIC: Federal Court Decision Vacating the 75-Country Visa Bancliniclegal.org
- Fragomen: State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwidefragomen.com
General information, not legal advice. NorthAmericans.com is independent and not affiliated with any government.