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The U.S. Department of State has announced the immigrant visa processing pause, which will take effect on January 21, 2026 and suspend immigrant visa issuances for nationals of 75 countries identified as being at high risk of public benefits usage.
This measure follows an internal review conducted under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and is grounded in the “public charge” inadmissibility standard. The Department of State has confirmed that the pause is indefinite, with no announced end date at the time of publication.
While immigrant visa applicants may continue to submit applications and attend interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates, no immigrant visas will be issued during the pause.
Editorial note: This is a developing situation based on official government communications. Details may evolve as further clarification is released by the U.S. Department of State or USCIS.
What is the Immigrant Visa Processing Pause in 2026?
The Immigrant Visa Processing Pause refers to the suspension of visa issuance for immigrant visa applicants, meaning foreign nationals seeking a visa that allows them to take up permanent residence in the United States (green card) through consular processing.
According to the Department of State, the pause applies only to immigrant visas and is intended to allow a full review of policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that affected applicants do not become a public charge in the United States.
What is paused and what is not
To avoid confusion, the following table summarizes what is affected by the pause and what remains unchanged, based strictly on official guidance.
| Category | Status (effective January 21, 2026) | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Immigrant visas (consular processing) | Paused | Applications and interviews may continue, but no visas will be issued |
| Green cards via U.S. consulates | Paused | Applies only to permanent residence through consular channels |
| Non-immigrant visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, business visitors, students) | Not affected | DOS has confirmed the pause does not apply to non-immigrant visas |
| Previously issued immigrant visas | Not affected | No revocations have been announced |
| Dual nationals | Not affected if applying with a non-listed passport | Explicitly exempt from the pause |
| Domestic USCIS filings (adjustment of status) | Not addressed by DOS | Individuals in the U.S. may wish to seek legal advice |
Countries affected by the immigrant visa processing pause
Based on official Department of State communications summarized in the January 2026 Global Immigration Alert, the pause applies to nationals of the following 75 countries.
Latin America and the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Uruguay.
Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda.
Europe: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia.
Asia and Middle East: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Fiji, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
This list reflects the countries identified by the Department of State as of January 2026 and may be updated as further guidance is released.
Why this matters for employers hiring international talent
Although the pause does not apply to non-immigrant work visas, it has important implications for employers that rely on long-term immigration pathways, including:
- sponsorship of permanent residence for employees,
- relocation planning tied to green card timelines,
- retention strategies for internationally hired talent.
For these employers, the pause introduces uncertainty in long-term workforce planning, even if short-term work authorization remains available.
Employer Alternatives for Global Hiring During the Immigrant Visa Processing Pause
Although the United States continues to be a key market for many companies, the current immigration context underscores the value of building a more flexible, globally distributed hiring strategy. For employers that rely on international talent, reducing overdependence on U.S. permanent residence pathways can help maintain continuity while immigration policies remain under review.
As hiring or relocation plans involving certain countries face delays, organizations may benefit from exploring complementary hiring approaches outside the U.S. that allow teams to remain operational while official guidance continues to evolve.
Global and regional hiring outside the U.S.
Many roles do not require physical presence in the United States. Hiring talent outside the U.S., under local labor law, allows companies to continue scaling without depending on consular immigrant visa processing.
Latin America, in particular, remains a strong region for international hiring due to:
- deep and diverse professional talent pools,
- time-zone alignment with North America,
- mature remote and distributed work practices.
Remote work and international employment structures
As remote work becomes increasingly embedded in global operating models, international employment structures enable companies to engage talent where they are located — without assuming future immigration outcomes.
Rather than delaying hiring decisions, employers may choose to:
- employ individuals in their country of residence,
- ensure compliant payroll, benefits, and tax treatment,
- align employment arrangements with local labor regulations.
Employer of Record (EOR) as a compliant global hiring framework
Employer of Record (EOR) models allow companies to hire and onboard talent internationally without establishing a local entity, while ensuring compliance with local labor, payroll, and tax requirements.
EOR is not a substitute for immigration processes. Instead, it provides a stable employment framework that allows organizations to continue operating globally while long-term mobility strategies are reassessed.
For employers navigating immigration uncertainty, EOR can support:
- international hiring continuity,
- risk mitigation during policy changes,
- long-term workforce planning across multiple jurisdictions.
The role of Employer of Record (EOR) during Immigrant Visa Processing Pause
An Employer of Record (EOR) enables companies to hire employees legally in their country of residence, ensuring compliance with local labor, payroll, and tax requirements, without bypassing immigration rules.
This approach allows employers to maintain hiring continuity while long-term immigration strategies remain under review.
LATAM as a practical hiring example
Latin America continues to be a strategic region for international hiring due to strong talent availability, time-zone alignment with North America, and mature remote work practices.
How Serviap Global supports compliant international hiring
Serviap Global supports companies by enabling fully compliant employment across Latin America and other global markets, helping employers reduce dependency on uncertain immigration timelines while maintaining alignment with local labor regulations.
Explore compliant global employment options with Serviap Global.
What employers should do next
- Monitor official updates from the U.S. Department of State and USCIS
- Review immigration and relocation pipelines involving affected nationalities
- Communicate transparently with impacted candidates and employees
- Explore compliant global employment structures where appropriate
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the immigrant visa processing pause?
It is an indefinite pause on the issuance of immigrant visas through U.S. embassies and consulates for nationals of approximately 75 countries. Applications and interviews may continue, but visas will not be issued during the pause.
2. Does the immigrant visa processing pause affect work visas?
No. As of now, the pause applies only to immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas, including work visas, are not officially included.
3. Can companies use an Employer of Record (EOR) during the Immigrant Visa Processing Pause?
Yes. EOR can be used to employ individuals legally in their country of residence under local labor law. It is an employment structure, not an immigration solution.
4. How does EOR help employers during immigration uncertainty?
EOR allows companies to continue hiring internationally in a compliant way, without relying on uncertain U.S. immigration timelines.
