India is not among the 75 countries facing an indefinite pause on immigrant visa issuance, announced by the U.S. Department of State.
On January 14, the U.S. Department of State revealed an indefinite pause on the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries, which includes several Asian nations. Notably, India is not included in this list.
According to the statement released by the Department of State, this pause will take effect on January 21, 2026. The affected countries will see a halt in all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants.
The Department of State emphasized that immigrants must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and should not become a financial burden on American citizens. To this end, the department plans to conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, regulations, and guidance to ensure that immigrants from the designated high-risk countries do not rely on welfare or become public charges in the United States.
The announcement has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). The group condemned the decision, describing it as an unprecedented and restrictive assault on the immigration system. In a statement released on January 16, AAJC noted that blocking immigration pathways for hundreds of thousands of individuals harkens back to the racially discriminatory immigration restrictions of the 1920s, which effectively barred many Asian and Black immigrants.
AAJC also expressed concern that this decision would lead to family separations and hinder workers who have diligently followed the necessary steps to obtain permanent status in the United States.
“The pause disproportionately targets immigrants of color—yet another indication of the xenophobia and racism driving this administration’s policies,” stated AAJC. The organization highlighted that 44% of Asian immigrant visa holders, amounting to over 135,000 individuals, would be affected by this pause. They urged the administration to reconsider this decision and collaborate with Congress to enhance, rather than restrict, the immigration system.
For those wondering about the implications of this pause on immigrant visa interview appointments, applicants from the affected countries may still submit their visa applications and attend interviews. However, no immigrant visas will be issued to these nationals during the pause.
There are some exceptions to this pause. Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country not included in the list will be exempt from these restrictions.
Importantly, this pause does not affect current valid visas. No immigrant visas have been revoked under this new guidance. For inquiries regarding admission to the United States, individuals are directed to consult the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
This pause specifically pertains to immigrant visa applicants and does not impact tourist visas, which are classified as non-immigrant visas.
According to Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the implications of this pause could be far-reaching, affecting families and individuals who have complied with the immigration process.