Published: 22.08.2026
On August 21, a U.S. district court in New York overturned the policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance since January 21 for nationals of 75 countries, including Russia and Belarus. The court also vacated visa refusals based solely on that policy; the suspension had not covered student, tourist, or business nonimmigrant visas.
According to the sources, the court ruling removes a specific obstacle to immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, including applicants moving through family- or employment-based routes. For applicants, this means the previously suspended visa-issuance stage can proceed again, and refusals based solely on that policy were vacated. The decision is especially relevant to nationals of Russia, Belarus, and the other listed countries who were waiting to immigrate from outside the United States. It is worth following for cases affected by this suspension, while other visa requirements and screening procedures still apply.