Which 19 countries are paused by USCIS?

As of early 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paused adjudications for nationals from 19 countries with deficient vetting, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria, with an expanded ban adding more countries and affecting visa types, impacting various immigration applications.

What 19 countries are being paused by USCIS?

Which Countries are Impacted? The list of countries impacted by this pause: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

What are the 19 at risk countries?

The 19 “high-risk” countries currently designated by the Proclamation are: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, as well as Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

What are the high risk countries for USCIS?

The new countries added to the list now also include Burkina Faso, Laos , Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, individuals with Palestinian Authority Documents, Burundi, Cuba,Togo, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d 'Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, ...

Which country are banned from applying for a United States diversity immigrant visa?

7 countries (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela) were subject to a ban on all immigrant visas and a slightly more limited ban on tourist, student, and exchange visitor visas.

US Pauses Immigration Applications From 19 Countries On Trump’s Travel Ban List

What are the 75 countries visa pause full list?

A U.S. official confirmed the full list of countries will include Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, ...

Which country has the highest U.S. visa rejection rate?

While specific rankings fluctuate, countries in Africa and Latin America often see the highest U.S. visa rejection rates, with recent data (FY2024/2025) pointing to nations like Mauritania, Somalia, Djibouti, Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau frequently topping lists for B1/B2 visitor visas, alongside high rates for some Latin American countries like Cuba, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, and African nations for student visas. 

Which country has the strictest immigration?

There isn't one single country with the "strictest" laws, but North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar are consistently cited as extremely difficult due to severe restrictions, limited pathways to citizenship, and cultural/political barriers, while nations like Japan, China, Switzerland, and Bhutan also feature high on lists for strict policies, especially regarding permanent residency and integration. 

What countries are banned by Uscis?

(c) Proclamation 10949 directed the United States Government to fully restrict and limit the entry of nationals of the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

What countries are at level 3 travel warning?

U.S. Level 3 Travel Advisories, meaning "Reconsider Travel," apply to countries with significant risks like terrorism, crime, civil unrest, or health issues, including nations such as Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Jamaica, and parts of Mexico (like Jalisco), though advisories are dynamic and often focus on specific high-risk regions within countries, requiring travelers to check the State Department's website for the latest details.
 

What countries does the US not recognize?

The United States has formal diplomatic relations with most nations. This includes all United Nations members and observer states other than Bhutan, Iran and North Korea, and the UN observer Territory of Palestine.

Which countries are on high alert?

Countries on high alert, often with "Do Not Travel" advisories (Level 4), include Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen, due to extreme conflict, terrorism, or political instability, though lists vary by government and source (like US State Dept, UK FCDO, universities). Other nations like China, Egypt, Lebanon, and parts of India, Pakistan, and the Central African Republic often appear with high-risk warnings (Level 3 or 4) for specific threats like terrorism, crime, or sanctions. 

Which countries do not accept US passports?

While a U.S. passport grants access to most countries, travel is severely restricted or effectively banned for U.S. citizens in North Korea (DPRK), with other nations like Iran, Cuba, Syria, Venezuela, and Afghanistan having significant travel advisories, visa requirements, or partial bans, requiring special validations or facing restrictions. The U.S. Department of State strongly advises against non-essential travel to these areas due to high risks like terrorism, crime, detention, or political instability. 

How does USCIS know you left the country?

The U.S. government, primarily through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), tracks departures using airline/carrier manifest data, passport stamps (especially from Canada/Mexico), electronic records (like I-94s for non-citizens), and sometimes biometric data, with USCIS accessing this information to verify travel, especially for benefit applications like citizenship. 

Are naturalization interviews being cancelled?

“Across the country, green card applications, naturalization interviews, and even oath ceremonies are being paused or cancelled, solely on the basis of the applicants' national origin,” the members wrote.

What are the 19 countries listed for green card review?

The 19 countries listed for the adjudication freeze are Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

What countries are U.S. suspending visas in?

The countries affected by the suspension announced on Wednesday are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, ...

Which country is the friendliest to immigrants?

1. Portugal. Portugal has climbed nine places to claim the title of the friendliest country towards foreign residents worldwide. The sunny country offers an equally warm welcome to its expats, with 36 percent of our respondents saying they felt at home straight away — nearly double the global average (19%).

Is Canada giving asylum to Americans?

Under the Canada–U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and its Protocol, you can claim asylum at the Canada land border if you qualify for one of the following exceptions: You are a U.S. citizen. You are a stateless person and have lived in the U.S. for a significant period of time.

What is the hardest citizenship to get?

The hardest countries to get citizenship are often cited as Qatar, Vatican City, North Korea, Bhutan, and Saudi Arabia, due to extremely long residency requirements (25 years for Qatar), strict cultural/religious assimilation (Arabic, Islam), minimal pathways (Vatican), or near-impossible access (North Korea). Other tough nations include China, Switzerland, Japan, Kuwait, and Liechtenstein, often requiring long stays, significant integration, and renunciation of other citizenships. 

Which country visa is most powerful?

The Henley Passport Index 2025 identifies the following countries as the most powerful:

• Singapore: Access to 193 countries. ...
• Japan and South Korea: Each grants entry to 190 destinations.

What is a red flag in a US visa?

A "red flag" in a US visa application is any inconsistency, suspicious activity, or past issue that raises concerns for immigration officers, signaling potential fraud or ineligibility, and prompting further investigation (like an RFE or secondary interview), though it doesn't guarantee denial, but requires more preparation to explain. Common red flags include inconsistent statements, criminal records, immigration violations (like overstaying), questionable relationship documentation (for marriage visas), or connections to security concerns.