US Embassy in Georgia announces temporary suspension of immigrant visas for citizens of high-risk countries

The United States Embassy in Georgia has announced that, effective January 21, 2026, the US State Department will temporarily suspend immigrant visas for citizens of countries deemed at high risk of relying on public benefits.

The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s policy emphasizing that immigrants should be financially self-sufficient and not become a burden on American taxpayers. The State Department is reviewing all relevant policies and regulations to ensure that immigrants from high-risk countries do not make use of public assistance in the United States.

The suspension affects applicants from more than 80 countries, including Afghanistan, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Russia, and several others.

What This Means for Applicants

• Scheduled Interviews: Applicants from the affected countries may still attend interviews, but visas will not be issued during the suspension.
  
  

• Exceptions: Dual citizens applying with a passport from a country not on the list are not affected.
  
  

• Current Visas: The pause does not cancel any visas already issued. Questions about entry to the United States should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  
  

• Tourist Visas: The suspension applies only to immigrant visas; non-immigrant visas, including tourist visas, are not affected.
  
  

The US Embassy emphasized that the policy is part of broader efforts to ensure that immigration aligns with public self-sufficiency requirements.