The U.S. government has significantly reshaped its visa policies effective January 1, 2026 with Presidential Proclamation 10998, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” These changes expand and modify previous restrictions and result in suspensions or limits on visa issuance for nationals of dozens of countries.
Understanding which countries are affected, how the suspensions apply, and what exceptions may be available is critical for individuals and families planning to visit, study, work, or immigrate to the United States in 2026.
What the 2026 Visa Suspension Does
Under Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), the U.S. Department of State has implemented full and partial suspensions on visa issuance for foreign nationals from certain countries. The goal cited by the U.S. government is to strengthen security screening and vetting for foreign nationals entering the United States.
In general:
- Full suspensions apply to almost all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for nationals of specific countries.
- Partial suspensions limit visa issuance for certain categories of visa applicants from other nations.
- The suspensions only apply to nationals who are outside the United States on January 1, 2026 and do not hold a valid visa as of that date.
Visas already issued before January 1, 2026 remain valid and will not be revoked under the proclamation. Applicants may still schedule interviews and submit applications, but they may be denied based on the suspension rules.
Countries With Full Visa Issuance Suspensions
The U.S. government has identified a group of countries whose nationals will be fully suspended from receiving U.S. visas in almost all categories, including tourist, business, work, study, and immigrant visas. Full suspensions typically apply unless a specific exception is available.
As of January 1, 2026, the countries with full suspension of visa issuance include:
- 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
In addition, individuals applying for visas with travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority are also included in the full suspension category.
These full suspensions apply to both immigrant visas (permanent residency) and nonimmigrant visas (such as B, F, M, J, H, L, and others), unless covered by a narrow exception.
Countries With Partial Visa Issuance Suspensions
Another group of countries is subject to partial visa issuance suspensions. For nationals of these countries, the restrictions do not completely block all visas, but they do limit several categories of visa issuance, particularly:
- Visitor visas (B-1/B-2)
- Student visas (F and M)
- Exchange visitor visas (J)
- All immigrant visas
The partial suspension list includes:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burundi
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Additionally, as of January 1, 2026, Turkmenistan is subject to partial suspension for all immigrant visas.
These partial suspensions do not affect every visa category equally, and eligibility for visas like H-1B or employment-based immigrant visas may depend on additional criteria or exemptions.
Limited Exceptions to the Visa Suspensions
Although the list of affected countries is extensive, Proclamation 10998 includes specific exemptions that allow some individuals to continue applying for and receiving visas even if they are from a fully or partially suspended country. Common exceptions include:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
- Certain diplomatic or official visas
- Dual nationals who apply with a passport from a country not subject to the suspension
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for individuals like U.S. government employees and their families
- Participants in certain major international sporting events
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution (in select cases)
Beyond these, the U.S. Secretary of State or Secretary of Homeland Security may, on a case-by-case basis, determine that an individual’s travel serves a U.S. national interest, potentially allowing entry even if from a restricted country.
What This Means for Applicants
For individuals and families planning to visit, study, work, or immigrate to the United States in 2026, these new suspensions have several important implications:
- Pending applicants from fully or partially restricted countries may be denied issuance of a new visa, even after an interview.
- Valid visas issued before January 1, 2026 remain usable, but renewal may be affected if your nationality remains on the list.
- Applicants may consider alternative pathways, such as qualifying for a national interest exception, changing passport/dual nationality where applicable, or exploring categories not affected by the suspension.
- These restrictions may also affect long-term planning for families, students, and employers who sponsor foreign workers.
Because the rules are complex and subject to change, seeking legal guidance is often a key step in understanding your options and protecting your immigration prospects.
Staying Updated on 2026 Immigration Policy Shifts
U.S. immigration policy in 2026 is in a period of rapid evolution, and Proclamation 10998 represents one of the most significant visa policy changes in years. The lists of affected countries, the scope of exceptions, and how the policy is implemented at consulates around the world may continue to shift.
If you or your family are planning travel, employment, or relocation to the United States and believe you could be affected by these visa suspensions, it’s important to understand your rights and options now rather than waiting until after you file an application.
