Status as of October 26, 2026. The United States has two different policies often called a “visa ban.” One immigrant-visa issuance pause affecting nationals of 75 countries ended on August 21, 2026 after a court order. A separate presidential entry and visa restriction affecting nationals of 39 countries and certain Palestinian Authority travel documents remains operative. They have different legal bases, country lists and exceptions. Do not mistake a lifted pause for the removal of every visa restriction.
Is the 75-country immigrant visa pause still in force?
No. The State Department confirmed on August 28 that, under the court order in CLINIC v. Rubio, the January 2026 pause was no longer effective as of August 21, 2026. It had concerned immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, including Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Uzbekistan. The reversal does not guarantee approval: standard eligibility, public-charge review, security checks and other independently applicable restrictions still matter. It does not by itself erase Proclamation 10998.
Which countries face entry or visa restrictions?
Under State Department guidance implementing Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, restrictions are organized as follows:
Current category | Nationals covered | Visa categories generally affected |
|---|---|---|
Full suspension: 19 countries | Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burkina Faso, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen. | Immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, subject to defined exemptions. |
Partial suspension: 19 countries | Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe. | Immigrant visas and B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas, subject to defined exemptions; other categories require an individual check. |
Turkmenistan: separate partial rule | Turkmenistan. | Immigrant visas generally suspended, with exceptions; its nonimmigrant-visa suspension was lifted. |
Additional document restriction | People applying with travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. | Full restriction, subject to applicable exceptions. |
The full and partial country groups total 39 countries. The travel-document category is additional; it is not a fortieth country.
Are green card holders, existing visa holders, and family members exempt?
The proclamation and State Department guidance contain exceptions. Lawful permanent residents are excepted. Visas valid when the proclamation took effect on January 1, 2026 were not revoked by that proclamation, including for people then outside the United States. Some diplomatic or official travelers, dual nationals applying using an unrestricted country's passport, eligible U.S.-government-employee special immigrants and specified major-sporting-event participants may qualify for exceptions. Case-by-case national-interest determinations remain possible, but are discretionary.
Marriage to a U.S. citizen is not a universal exemption. The proclamation removed several earlier categorical exceptions for immediate-relative immigrant visas (including IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2 and IR-5), adoption visas and certain Afghan SIVs. Anyone relying on a family relationship should obtain advice based on their visa classification and nationality.
Can you apply, attend an interview, or enter with a valid visa?
The Department says a person affected by Proclamation 10998 may still file an application and attend an interview, but may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission. Filing and interviewing are not the same as visa approval or permission to enter. A previously valid visa is not automatically a guarantee of admission: CBP makes the entry determination, and independent inadmissibility grounds may apply. Check whether the restriction applies to your nationality, passport, visa class and the operative date before booking costly travel.
What should applicants do?
Identify whether you seek an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa; the former 75-country pause covered only immigrant-visa issuance.
Check the current State Department restriction list and any posted country-specific consular instructions. Nationality and travel document, not merely place of residence, matter.
If you are already issued a visa or hold a green card, confirm the precise exception and any other entry requirements before leaving the United States.
If a visa was refused while the 75-country pause was in force, ask the issuing post about your case; the lifting of the pause does not guarantee automatic issuance or eliminate other refusal grounds.