A significant development has brought new hope to thousands of intending immigrants from countries that were affected by the United States’ January 2026 immigrant visa issuance pause. The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that, as of August 21, 2026, the January 2026 pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries is no longer in effect. This development follows a federal court order in Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) et al. v. Rubio et al.
The decision is particularly important for Pakistani nationals, as Pakistan was among the 75 countries included in the original pause.
What Was the 75-Country Immigrant Visa Pause?
On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced a policy that became effective on January 21, 2026. Under the policy, the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 designated countries was paused based on concerns regarding the potential reliance of immigrants on U.S. public benefits.
The affected countries included Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen and numerous other countries.
The policy primarily affected immigrant visa applicants, meaning individuals seeking permanent residence in the United States through consular processing. Applicants could still have their cases processed and interviews scheduled, but visa issuance was subject to the pause.
The Federal Court Challenge
The policy was challenged in federal court by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) and other plaintiffs in CLINIC et al. v. Rubio.
On August 21, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that the nationality-based suspension was contrary to law and exceeded the statutory authority of the Secretary of State. The court ordered the policy to be set aside and vacated.
The court found that the policy categorically prevented otherwise eligible immigrant visa applicants from receiving visas based solely on their nationality. The judgment also addressed visa refusals that were based solely on the now-vacated policy.
Following the court’s order, the Department of State confirmed that the January 2026 pause is no longer in effect as of August 21, 2026.
What Does This Mean for Pakistani Immigrant Visa Applicants?
For Pakistani nationals, this is an important change.
Because Pakistan was included in the original 75-country list, Pakistani applicants pursuing immigrant visas were directly affected by the January policy. With that specific pause no longer in effect, the nationality-based suspension itself should no longer prevent eligible Pakistani applicants from receiving an immigrant visa.
This may be particularly relevant to individuals pursuing U.S. immigration through categories such as:
- EB-1 employment-based immigration
- EB-2 and EB-2 NIW
- EB-3 employment-based immigration
- Family-sponsored immigrant visas
- Other eligible immigrant visa categories
However, applicants should understand that lifting the 75-country pause does not mean that every U.S. immigration requirement has been removed. Applicants must still satisfy the applicable requirements of their specific visa category, complete the required documentation and undergo the normal screening, security checks and consular adjudication process.
Does This Mean All U.S. Visa Restrictions Have Been Removed?
No.
This is an important distinction.
The court decision specifically concerns the January 2026 policy that paused immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries. It does not mean that all U.S. immigration policies, visa restrictions, security screening requirements or other presidential and Department of State measures have been cancelled.
The U.S. Department of State has also continued reviewing screening and vetting policies related to public-benefits reliance.
Therefore, applicants should avoid assuming that the removal of this particular pause guarantees visa approval.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
Applicants who were previously affected by the 75-country immigrant visa pause should review the current status of their individual case rather than assuming that their case will automatically move forward.
Depending on the circumstances, applicants may need to:
- Review their immigrant visa case status.
- Ensure that required documents are complete and up to date.
- Respond to any requests from the National Visa Center or U.S. Embassy.
- Prepare carefully for the immigrant visa interview.
- Review potential admissibility and public-charge concerns.
- Obtain professional guidance where the case involves complex immigration issues.
For individuals who were refused or otherwise affected solely because of the now-vacated 75-country policy, the court’s judgment specifically provides for such actions to be set aside and remanded for further proceedings consistent with the court’s order.
A New Opportunity for Eligible Pakistani Applicants
The lifting of the 75-country immigrant visa pause represents a significant development for Pakistani nationals who were waiting for their U.S. immigrant visa cases to progress.
At KORUU Consultants, we understand that U.S. immigration policies can change quickly and that even a small regulatory or legal development can have a major impact on an applicant’s immigration journey. Our team can help applicants understand how the latest developments may affect their individual circumstances, identify the appropriate immigration pathway and prepare their documentation for the relevant process.
If you are a Pakistani national planning to immigrate to the United States, now is an important time to review your options and understand how the latest policy change may affect your case.
KORUU Consultants Professional Immigration Guidance for Your U.S. Immigration Journey.