On January 14, 2026, the United States Department of State (DOS) announced that, effective January 21, 2026, it will indefinitely pause the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries identified as “at high risk of public benefits usage.” This action is intended to allow DOS to review and potentially revise its procedures for public charge determinations.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
This suspension directly halts the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, affecting organizations that rely on U.S. permanent transfers, long-term assignments, or family reunification for employees from these countries.
For affected individuals, this means indefinite postponement of U.S. permanent residence via consular immigrant visa processing, regardless of individual financial circumstances. While applications and interviews may proceed, no immigrant visas will be issued until further notice.
Background
Prior to this update, immigrant visa applicants from all countries were subject to case-by-case public charge assessments under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), with consular officers evaluating factors such as age, health, financial status, and education.
In November 2025, DOS expanded its public charge guidance to include broader health conditions and family member assessments. The current policy represents a shift from individualized assessment to a categorical suspension based solely on nationality, pending further review of adjudication procedures.
List of countries
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Key Highlights
Scope and applicability
- The suspension applies to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of 75 listed countries, regardless of individual eligibility.
- No immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals from January 21, 2026, until further notice.
- Non-immigrant visa categories (B, F, J, H-1B, etc.) are excluded from this pause.
Application and interview procedures
- Affected applicants may still file immigrant visa applications and attend interviews.
- Consulates instructed to refuse otherwise eligible applicants under INA 221(g) (administrative processing) rather than issuing visas.
Exceptions and limitations
- Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country not subject to the pause are exempt.
- No revocation of current valid immigrant visas; existing travel bans may separately restrict eligibility for some applicants.
Public charge rationale
- The pause is based on a presumption that nationals of the listed countries pose a higher risk of becoming a public charge, prompting a comprehensive review of assessment procedures.
KPMG INSIGHTS
Organizations may wish to:
- Review current and planned U.S. assignments for employees or family members from the affected countries and assess alternative immigration strategies.
- Advise affected individuals to monitor official DOS communications and retain documentation demonstrating financial self-sufficiency for any visa process.
- Monitor updates for any changes to nonimmigrant visa processing or additional guidance from DOS and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Prepare for potential delays in permanent transfers or assignments and consider contingency plans for critical roles.
If assignees and/or their program managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration advisers or with a member of the immigration team at KPMG Law LLP in Canada (see the Contacts section).
FOOTNOTE
1 U.S. Department of State, “Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage,” published on January 14, 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.
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