75-Country Visa Pause Update

Important Update for Immigrant Visa Applicants

The Department of State's January 2026 immigrant visa pause affecting nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect.

On August 21, 2026, a federal court in Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. v. Rubio struck down the blanket policy. The Department of State has since acknowledged the ruling, and on September 10 instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to resume immigrant visa processing and issuance.

If your case was affected, do not simply wait for the embassy to contact you.

Applicants should:

• Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate handling the case if an interview was cancelled, postponed, or the case was placed on hold.

• Keep copies of any refusal notice, cancellation notice, and correspondence with the embassy.

• Continue attending scheduled interviews and completing any outstanding document or medical requirements.

• Consider congressional assistance if a case remains stalled despite the change in policy.

• DV-2026 applicants should act immediately. The September 30, 2026 deadline makes these cases particularly urgent.

A visa refusal based solely on the now-vacated 75-country policy may need to be reconsidered, but the court decision does not automatically guarantee visa issuance. Each applicant must still establish eligibility under the immigration laws.

If your immigrant visa case was affected by the 75-country pause or your interview was cancelled and has not been rescheduled, contact our office to discuss the appropriate next steps.