U.S. Immigrant Visa Pause for 75 Countries – What Africans Must Know (Still in Effect as of May 2026)

If you are an African planning to move to the United States through a green card, you have probably heard the news by now. But let me be clear about where things stand on May 20, 2026. The U.S. immigrant visa pause for nationals of 75 countries is still active. It started on January 21, 2026, and there is no end date in sight. This is not a concluded event. It is a live policy that continues to disrupt family reunification, employment-based migration, and Diversity Visa dreams for thousands of Africans every single day. You can check the latest updates on the U.S. Department of State immigrant visa processing page.

What Exactly Is Paused and What Is Not

The U.S. government has stopped issuing immigrant visas to nationals from 75 countries, including 26 African nations. The affected African countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau.

Three types of immigrant visas are completely halted for these nationals:

1. Family-based green card petitions (I-130) – If you are sponsoring a spouse, parent, or child, your case is on hold.
2. Employment-based green card petitions (I-140) – Skilled workers and investors cannot proceed.
3. Diversity Visa (DV) lottery 2026 winners – Winners from affected countries cannot schedule interviews or receive their visas.

Here is the good news. These visa types are still processing normally:

• Fiancé(e) visas (K-1) – Still available for couples.
• Non-immigrant visas – F-1 student, H-1B work, B-1/B-2 tourist, and J-1 exchange visas all continue without interruption.
• Asylum and refugee processing – Not impacted by this pause.

How This Affects Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans, and Other Africans

Family-based green card petitions (I-130)

If you are a Nigerian, Ghanaian, or Kenyan with an approved I-130 petition waiting for a visa number, your case is indefinitely on hold. No new interviews will be scheduled. For example, a Ghanaian spouse of a U.S. citizen who filed an I-130 in 2024 cannot proceed to the interview stage until the pause is lifted. You can check the status of your petition on the USCIS I-130 page.

Employment-based green card petitions (I-140)

All I-140 petitions from affected African nationals are paused. This impacts skilled workers, professionals, and investors who had been approved for permanent residency through employment. A Kenyan software engineer with an approved I-140 cannot receive their green card until the pause ends.

Diversity Visa (DV) lottery 2026 winners

DV lottery 2026 winners selected in May 2025 from affected African countries cannot proceed with their visa interviews. This is a major blow for thousands who had already submitted their DS-260 forms and were awaiting interview appointments. A Nigerian who won the DV lottery 2026 and paid all fees is now stuck with no clear timeline.

What Africans Can Do Right Now

1. Verify your country's status – Check the official U.S. Department of State list of 75 affected countries. If your country is not on the list, you can proceed with immigrant visa applications as normal.
2. Explore non-immigrant visa alternatives – Apply for an F-1 student visa by securing admission to an accredited U.S. institution. Seek employer sponsorship for an H-1B work visa. Apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa for short-term visits. Consider a J-1 exchange visitor visa for cultural exchange or research.
3. Monitor policy updates – Bookmark the U.S. Department of State visa updates page and follow official U.S. embassy social media channels in your country.
4. Consult an immigration attorney – If you have a pending I-130 or I-140 petition, ask about consular processing in a third country if you have legal residence elsewhere. For DV lottery winners, ask about potential waivers or exceptions, though these are rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pause still active in May 2026? Yes. It started on January 21, 2026, and remains fully in effect with no announced end date.

Can I still apply for a tourist visa? Yes. B-1/B-2 tourist visas are not affected.

What happens to my DV lottery 2026 win? Your visa interview is indefinitely postponed. You cannot receive your green card until the pause is lifted.

Are student visas affected? No. F-1 student visas continue processing normally.

How long will the pause last? There is no announced end date. It could last months or years.

Can I apply for a fiancé(e) visa? Yes. K-1 visas are not affected.

What if I have an approved I-130? Your case is on hold until the pause is lifted.

Are there exceptions for humanitarian cases? Asylum and refugee processing are not affected, but family-based humanitarian parole cases may still be impacted.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. immigrant visa pause for 75 countries is a live, active policy that continues to affect Africans in May 2026. This is not the time to panic, but it is the time to reassess your plans. Focus on non-immigrant visa options like student, work, tourist, and exchange visas that remain open. Consult a licensed U.S. immigration attorney for personalized advice and stay updated through official channels. Check the latest policy changes on the USCIS newsroom page. While immigrant visas are paused, your dream of visiting, studying, or working in the U.S. is still possible through other visa categories. Stay patient, stay informed, and explore all available pathways.