Published: 21.01.2026
The United States has temporarily suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia. The measure affects pathways to permanent residence, including family- and employment-based visas, but does not affect tourist, student, or other short-term nonimmigrant visas.
According to sources, applicants from Russia and the other affected countries may still submit applications and attend interviews, but issuance of immigrant visas has been suspended. For people planning to move through a family- or employment-based pathway, this creates a risk of delays in obtaining permission for permanent residence and uncertainty over relocation timelines. Tourists, students, and applicants for short-term work visas are not affected by the measure. The development is particularly important for citizens of the listed countries pursuing permanent immigration rather than temporary entry.