In a Global Mobility Flash Alert dated 5 February 2026, KPMG reports that the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has “indefinitely paused” consular processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries deemed at high risk of becoming public-charge cases. The suspension took effect retroactively on 21 January 2026 and will remain until DOS completes a methodology overhaul for assessing financial self-sufficiency.
While family- and employer-sponsored immigrant petitions may still be filed with USCIS, applicants awaiting consular interviews will not receive visa stamps nor may new immigrant appointments be scheduled. The list, which covers large parts of Africa, South-East Asia and the Caribbean, overlaps but is not identical to the 39-country entry ban under Proclamation 10998.
For employers and applicants now facing a maze of shifting requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process of determining alternative visa options, gathering the correct documentation, and tracking application status. The firm’s online platform and team of specialists—accessible at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—provide up-to-date guidance on non-immigrant categories such as L-1, E-2, or O-1, and can coordinate filings across multiple jurisdictions when plans change unexpectedly.
![State Department halts immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, citing public-charge review]()
For multinational employers, the immediate impact is on long-term assignment planning and green-card roadmaps for transferees overseas. Candidates from affected countries may need to enter the U.S. first in a non-immigrant category (if eligible) and adjust status domestically—adding time, cost and uncertainty.
HR should audit global mobility pipelines to identify employees whose immigrant cases were slated for consular processing and explore contingency options such as L-1, E-2 or O-1 visas, or deferred permanent transfer. Companies should also update relocation cost modelling to reflect additional filing fees, possible premium-processing charges and extended temporary housing needs.
Advocacy groups are expected to challenge the blanket suspension, arguing it effectively creates a socio-economic litmus test inconsistent with immigration statutes. DOS has not provided a target date for completing its review.
While family- and employer-sponsored immigrant petitions may still be filed with USCIS, applicants awaiting consular interviews will not receive visa stamps nor may new immigrant appointments be scheduled. The list, which covers large parts of Africa, South-East Asia and the Caribbean, overlaps but is not identical to the 39-country entry ban under Proclamation 10998.
For employers and applicants now facing a maze of shifting requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process of determining alternative visa options, gathering the correct documentation, and tracking application status. The firm’s online platform and team of specialists—accessible at https://www.visahq.com/united-states/—provide up-to-date guidance on non-immigrant categories such as L-1, E-2, or O-1, and can coordinate filings across multiple jurisdictions when plans change unexpectedly.
For multinational employers, the immediate impact is on long-term assignment planning and green-card roadmaps for transferees overseas. Candidates from affected countries may need to enter the U.S. first in a non-immigrant category (if eligible) and adjust status domestically—adding time, cost and uncertainty.
HR should audit global mobility pipelines to identify employees whose immigrant cases were slated for consular processing and explore contingency options such as L-1, E-2 or O-1 visas, or deferred permanent transfer. Companies should also update relocation cost modelling to reflect additional filing fees, possible premium-processing charges and extended temporary housing needs.
Advocacy groups are expected to challenge the blanket suspension, arguing it effectively creates a socio-economic litmus test inconsistent with immigration statutes. DOS has not provided a target date for completing its review.
