US Halts Immigrant Visa Processing
from Pakistan, 74 other Countries
Pak-Prism Report | Published January 15, 2026
The United States has announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, effective January 21, sending ripples of concern through immigrant communities and diplomatic circles alike.
The decision, unveiled by US authorities recently, has put many long-cherished migration plans on ice, leaving thousands of applicants in a state of limbo.
According to officials, the move is part of a broader review of security and administrative protocols, aimed at tightening up procedures and weeding out systemic loopholes. While Washington insists the step is temporary, critics argue that the sudden freeze has come out of the blue, catching families and prospective migrants off guard. Many had already gone the extra mil – completing paperwork, attending interviews, and lining up documents – only to see the door abruptly shut.
In Pakistan, the announcement might spark anxiety among applicants who were counting on family reunification and employment-based visas. Immigration consultants say inquiries will definitely shot up, as people scramble to make sense of the new rules and figure out their next move. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow,” said one adviser, noting that years of planning have been thrown into disarray.
US State Department in a post on X said that “The department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.”