Current Status of Countries Subject to Adjudication Pauses and Travel Bans

The Trump Administration continues to impose pauses and bans on noncitizens from certain countries who are seeking visas and immigration benefits in the United States. This post provides an update on the status of these limitations as of April 23, 2026.

USCIS Adjudication Pause on I-589 Asylum Applications

USCIS’s total pause on adjudicating I-589 applications for asylum was recently lifted, except for citizens from certain “high-risk” countries. This means that USCIS will resume issuing final decisions on pending Forms I-589 for most asylum-seekers, with the exception of citizens from the countries deemed “high-risk” by the federal government. These noncitizens are still subject to the adjudication pause.

The 40 countries still subject to USCIS’s asylum adjudication pause are:

USCIS Adjudication Pause on Immigration Benefit Applications

The January 1, 2026 USCIS Policy Memorandum places an adjudication pause on applications for citizens of 40 countries. The pause on adjudications applies to most immigration benefit applications, including applications for lawful permanent residency (I-485), naturalization (N-400), immigrant visa petitions (I-130/I-140), fiancé visa petitions (I-129), nonimmigrant visa petitions (I-129/I-539), employment authorization applications (I-765), and petitions for asylee/refugee relatives (I-730).

The 40 countries subject to USCIS’s adjudication pause are:

Exceptions. The following immigration benefit applications are not subject to the adjudication pause:

• Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
• Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization filed under the (c)(8), limited (c)(11), and limited (c)(14) categories
• Form I-910, Application for Civil Surgeon Designation (only for physicians that are citizens or nationals of the United States)
• Benefit requests filed by a noncitizen who is an athlete or member of an athletic team, including the coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives for the purpose of participating in the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State
• Benefit requests that are a priority for law enforcement and where ICE has requested USCIS take adjudicative action to uphold public safety or national security
• Benefit requests filed by noncitizens whose entry would serve a United States national interest
• Benefit requests, as well as the associated underlying benefits, for any programs that are terminated or discontinued as a result of an Executive Order, Proclamation, Federal Register Notice, or Directive issued by the President, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the USCIS Director
• Automatic termination decisions for ancillary or related benefit requests when an alien is granted Legal Permanent Resident status or becomes a naturalized citizen

U.S. Department of State Adjudication Pause on Immigrant Visas

There are currently 75 countries that are subject to a U.S. Department of State adjudication pause on the issuance of immigrant visas. This means that citizens of these countries are ineligible to receive immigrant visas to permanently immigrate to the United States. This pause went into effect on January 21, 2026.

The 75 countries subject to the U.S. Department of State’s pause on the issuance of immigrant visas are:

Exceptions. This pause does not apply to dual nationals applying with a valid passport of a country not listed above. It also does not apply to children being adopted by Americans who can qualify for an exception, including a National Interest Exception.

Full Travel Ban

There are currently 20 countries that are subject to a full travel ban. This means that citizens of these countries are ineligible to receive immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and cannot enter the United States. The full travel ban applies to those outside of the United States who did not have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026.

These countries include:

Partial Travel Ban

e are currently 19 countries that are subject to a partial travel ban. This means that citizens of these countries are ineligible to receive immigrant and specific nonimmigrant visas and cannot enter the United States. The nonimmigrant visas subject to this ban are tourist, student, and exchange visitor visas (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas). The partial travel ban applies to those outside of the United States who did not have a valid visa as of January 1, 2026.

These countries include:

Modified Travel Ban

One country, Turkmenistan, is subject to a modified travel ban. This means that citizens Turkmenistan are ineligible to receive immigrant visas. The modified travel ban applies to those outside of the United States who did not have a valid immigrant visa as of January 1, 2026.

Exceptions to Travel Bans

The following individuals are exempt from the full, partial, and modified travel bans:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs or green card holders)
• Refugees, asylees, and individuals granted Withholding of Removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture
• Diplomats and NATO personnel
• Dual nationals (if traveling on a passport from a non-designated country)
• Immediate relatives (spouses, minor children, or parents of U.S. citizens who are at least 21 years old), with proof of their relationship
• Children adopted abroad
• Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and U.S. government employee SIVs
• Immigrant visa applicants who are ethnic or religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
• Athletes, coaches and support staff, and immediate relatives of athletes participating in “major sporting events,” including the Olympics and the World Cup
• Individuals whose entry is deemed in the national interest by the U.S. Attorney General or Secretary of State

For more information on the history of this topic, please see our earlier posts from December 3, 2025 and December 17, 2025.

For individual strategies, consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law and policy change rapidly. Always consult an attorney or accredited representative for advice about your specific situation.

About the Author

Angela Cifor

Angela Cifor is a Partner at Kolko & Casey, P.C. Angela specializes in removal defense, humanitarian and family based immigration matters.