US immigrant visa processing pause: Pakistanis will still be able to submit applications, attend scheduled interviews

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has clarified that applicants from Pakistan and 74 other countries, which are facing a suspension of immigrant visa processing, will be allowed to submit applications and attend scheduled interviews despite the freeze. However, no immigrant visas will be issued during the newly announced pause that takes effect on January 21.

In a question-and-answer guidance released alongside the new policy, the department said that the suspension does not revoke any immigrant visas already issued, nor does it apply to tourist or other non-immigrant visas.

Questions related to admission into the United States, it added, fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.

The guidance also states that dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country not included on the affected list are exempt from the pause.

Pakistan is among more the 75 countries whose nationals will be affected under the new measure, which the State Department said is part of a comprehensive review ordered by President Donald Trump to ensure that immigrants are “financially self-sufficient and not a financial burden to Americans.”

“President Trump has made clear that immigrants must be financially self-sufficient,” the department said, adding that all policies, regulations and guidance are being reviewed to prevent immigrants from becoming a public charge.

The sweeping list spans Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and eastern Europe, and includes countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Russia and Brazil.

According to internal guidance cited by officials, exceptions may be granted if an applicant can demonstrate that their travel would serve an “America First” national interest, though the criteria for such exemptions have not been publicly defined.

The guidance also instructs consular officers that if an immigrant visa has already been approved but has not yet been printed, the case must be refused.

The department said US embassies and consulates will continue to schedule immigrant visa appointments for affected nationals during the pause, but issuance will remain suspended while the review is underway.