Overview
- Effective Jan. 21, consulates will accept applications and hold interviews for affected nationals, but no immigrant visas will be issued until the review concludes.
- The pause covers permanent-residence visas only and does not affect tourist, student or other nonimmigrant categories, nor does it cancel immigrant visas already issued.
- Dual nationals using a passport from a country not on the 75-nation list are exempt, and officials have given no end date beyond saying the review will take the time necessary.
- Separately, in-person interviews are now the default for most nonimmigrant visas, with age-based exemptions removed and only narrow exceptions for diplomatic/official visas and certain renewals such as B‑1/B‑2, Border Crossing Card and H‑2A within 12 months.
- Immigration lawyers call the nationality-based pause legally vulnerable and expect lawsuits, and some governments including Pakistan, Mali and Chad have announced reciprocal restrictions on U.S. travelers.