Explainer: Who Is Affected by the U.S. Visa Suspensions Taking Effect in 2026

The United States has fully or partially suspend visa issuance and entry for nationals of 39 countries beginning January 1, 2026, following the signing of Presidential Proclamation 10998, a sweeping immigration measure aimed at strengthening national security through tighter screening and vetting procedures.

The proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and expands upon restrictions previously imposed under Presidential Proclamation 10949, which will remain in force unless specifically modified by the new order.

Full Visa Suspension for 19 Countries

Under the directive, the U.S. Department of State will fully suspend visa issuance—both immigrant and nonimmigrant—to nationals of 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, and Yemen.

The suspension also applies to individuals traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.

Limited exceptions are предусмотрены for:

• Certain diplomatic and official visas

• Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran

• Dual nationals traveling on a non-restricted passport

• Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for qualifying U.S. government employees

• Participants in select major international sporting events

• Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

Partial Visa Restrictions for 20 Countries

The proclamation also introduces partial visa suspensions for nationals of 19 additional countries, restricting:

• B-1/B-2 visitor visas

• F, M, and J student and exchange visas

• All immigrant visas, with limited exceptions

Affected countries include:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Separately, Turkmenistan faces a partial suspension affecting all immigrant visas, subject to similar exemptions.

Key Exceptions Removed

Presidential Proclamation 10998 eliminates several humanitarian exemptions previously allowed under Proclamation 10949, including:

• Immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5)

• Adoption-related visas (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4)

• Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (Afghan SIVs)

National Interest Waivers Still Possible

The proclamation grants discretion to senior U.S. officials to authorize entry on a case-by-case national interest basis, involving coordination among the Departments of State, Homeland Security, and Justice.

Who Is Affected—and Who Is Not

The restrictions apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States and do not hold a valid visa as of January 1, 2026.

Individuals who already possess valid visas before the effective date will not be affected, and no previously issued visas will be revoked under the proclamation.

Visa applicants may continue to submit applications and attend interviews, though approval may be barred under the new rules.

U.S. officials say the policy is intended to protect national security and public safety by ensuring that visa recipients meet enhanced security standards.