U.S. Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, Including Pakistan

Introduction

The United States Department of State has announced a significant suspension of immigrant visa processing. The pause applies to applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan. The move halts the intake of new applications globally. Officials cite the need for a major system overhaul to address chronic backlogs. The suspension takes effect immediately, though its duration remains unspecified.

The Scope of the Announcement

The State Department released a formal notification on January 15, 2026. The directive orders all U.S. embassies and consulates to stop accepting new immigrant visa applications. The list of 75 affected nations spans multiple continents. Pakistan is notably included among major countries impacted. The pause is described as a global procedural halt, not a country-specific sanction. Non-immigrant visas, like tourist or student visas, are not included in this suspension.

Clarification on Application Submission

A key point of clarification has been provided for Pakistani applicants. Individuals will still be able to submit their application forms and required fees to the National Visa Center (NVC). This is a technical step in the process. However, once submitted, those applications will enter a queue with no scheduled interview date. No new interviews will be booked, and no visas will be issued until the suspension is lifted. Effectively, the process is frozen after submission.

Stated Rationale from the State Department

State Department officials explained the decision as an operational necessity. They reference a legacy computer system and procedural framework that is "overwhelmed and obsolete." The backlogs, which grew significantly following pandemic-era closures, have not been reduced. The stated goal of the pause is to allow consular staff to adjudicate the millions of pending cases already in the system. The department aims to "clear the deck" before resuming normal intake, hoping this will streamline future processing.

Immediate Impact on Applicants

The immediate effect is uncertainty for thousands of families. Applicants who have been waiting for years, often with approved immigrant petitions, now face an indefinite wait. Life plans involving relocation, family reunification, and employment are on hold. The suspension also freezes the Diversity Visa (green card lottery) program for the affected countries. Legal experts note that individuals with already-scheduled interviews will likely have those appointments cancelled.

Reactions from Pakistan and Other Nations

Official responses from affected nations have been concerned. Pakistan's Foreign Office stated it is seeking detailed clarification from U.S. authorities. It emphasized the deep people-to-people ties between the two countries. Immigrant advocacy groups in multiple countries have condemned the move. They argue it unfairly penalizes legal immigrants who have followed all rules and waited in line for years, calling it a de facto ban on legal immigration from a large part of the world.

Legal and Immigration Expert Analysis

Immigration attorneys note the action is within the State Department's administrative authority. However, they describe its scale as unprecedented in recent decades. Experts point out that a "system overhaul" has been discussed for years without major progress. The concern is that the pause could extend for many months, if not years, creating a two-tiered system where applicants from non-affected countries continue to be processed. This could lead to potential legal challenges based on discrimination.

Context of U.S. Immigration Backlog

The pause must be viewed against a backdrop of a massive overall backlog. As of late 2025, over 4 million immigrant visa applicants were awaiting interviews worldwide. Consular resources have not kept pace with demand. The system is also strained by policies requiring in-person interviews for nearly all applicants. The COVID-19 pandemic brought visa issuance to a near-standstill for over a year, from which it never fully recovered.

Distinction from Previous Bans

Analysts are careful to distinguish this from previous presidential executive orders that targeted specific countries. This is not a "travel ban" based on nationality or security concerns. It is a blanket, global pause on a specific category of visas for technical and administrative reasons. Nevertheless, the outcome for individuals is similar: a halt to their ability to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States.

What Applicants Can Do Now

The State Department advises applicants to monitor its website for updates. Those with pending cases are told not to submit any additional documents unless explicitly requested. The advice for new applicants is to hold submission until the suspension is lifted, though the portal for fee payment and form submission remains technically open for some countries, like Pakistan. Legal experts recommend applicants document all their interactions and dates meticulously in case of future legal recourse.

Potential Long-Term Consequences

If prolonged, the suspension could have demographic and economic impacts. U.S. industries reliant on skilled immigrant labor, from healthcare to technology, may face greater shortages. It could also reshape migration patterns, potentially diverting skilled workers and families to other countries like Canada, Australia, or the UK, which have active immigration systems. For U.S. foreign relations, it may create diplomatic friction with the 75 affected allies and partners.

Conclusion

The U.S. decision to suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries represents a dramatic intervention into its legal immigration system. Framed as an administrative reset, it places the dreams of family reunification and opportunity for hundreds of thousands on indefinite hold. While the goal of reducing a dysfunctional backlog is clear, the human and diplomatic costs are immediate and significant. The world now watches to see how long this pause will last and whether the promised system reforms will ultimately lead to a more efficient and fair process, or become a permanent barrier to legal immigration.