US Halts Visas & Green Cards for 19 Countries

The US has paused all visa, green card, and citizenship processing for applicants from 19 countries following a national security review. Learn which countries are impacted, who is affected, and what travel professionals should know.

US Implements Nationwide Freeze on Immigration Cases From 19 Countries

In a sweeping move that has sent shockwaves through the global immigration system, the United States has temporarily halted the processing of all visa, green card, and citizenship applications from 19 countries.
The directive, issued internally to USCIS officers, instructs caseworkers to stop issuing final decisions until a fresh national-security review is completed.

This includes applicants who were only days away from receiving approvals or attending naturalization ceremonies—highlighting the unprecedented scale of this pause.

Why This Sudden Freeze?

The decision follows a high-profile security incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were fatally shot. The suspect, an Afghan evacuee who previously received asylum, triggered an immediate government-wide reassessment of immigration screenings.

Officials state the goal is to:

• Re-evaluate past approvals from affected nations

• Re-screen pending applicants for any security or criminal concerns

• Prevent the issuance of benefits to individuals flagged during the review

Immigration attorneys report that even long-settled residents may face new interviews or background checks under the revised protocols.

List of 19 Countries Currently Affected

All immigration benefits—including visas, adjustment of status, employment authorization, and naturalization—are paused for applicants linked to the following countries:

• Afghanistan

• Myanmar

• Chad

• Republic of the Congo

• Equatorial Guinea

• Eritrea

• Haiti

• Iran

• Libya

• Somalia

• Sudan

• Yemen

• Burundi

• Cuba

• Laos

• Sierra Leone

• Togo

• Turkmenistan

• Venezuela

These nations represent regions where the US intends to conduct deeper vetting before resuming routine immigration services.

Who Is Directly Impacted Right Now?

The pause covers every stage and category of immigration—creating uncertainty for thousands of applicants. Those currently affected include:

✔ Individuals living in the US with pending applications

This includes adjustment of status, work permits, and naturalization.

✔ Permanent residents awaiting citizenship ceremonies

Some ceremonies have already been cancelled at the last minute.

✔ Applicants abroad waiting for consular visa decisions

Embassy and consulate cases are temporarily stalled.

✔ Anyone who filed any immigration form tied to one of the 19 countries

The timeline of arrival or application submission does not matter.

Travel and immigration professionals are reporting widespread delays, with no formal processing timeline announced.

Could More Countries Be Added Next?

Officials have hinted that the list may expand to nearly 30 countries, pending further assessments by security and intelligence agencies.

Immigration lawyers describe this freeze as one of the widest and most disruptive reviews in recent years, significantly broader than previous country-specific pauses.

For travel agencies, corporate travel managers, and consular support teams, this development underscores the need for proactive communication with impacted clients.

What This Means for Travel & Mobility Professionals

This suspension is expected to influence:

• International student flows and business travel originating from affected nations

• Corporate mobility programs, especially for multinational teams

• Travel agent advisory services, requiring updated client briefings

• Processing timelines for employment-based petitions

With uncertainty about when USCIS will issue a follow-up memo, travel professionals must stay prepared for extended disruptions throughout Q1–Q2 2026.

Conclusion: A Critical Moment for Global Mobility Stakeholders

The US immigration pause for 19 countries marks a significant shift in security-driven immigration policy. With thousands of cases on indefinite hold and the potential expansion of the list, B2B travel professionals must monitor updates closely to guide clients effectively.

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