US entry 2026 ⇒ Visa suspension – who is affected?

In 2026, the United States announced the suspension of the processing of certain visas, raising many questions among international travelers. This measure mainly concerns immigration visas, but it does not apply to all categories or all profiles. Tourism, studies, business, transit or ESTA: entry rules for the United States remain different depending on the traveler’s situation. In this article, we provide a clear and up-to-date overview of entry conditions for the United States in 2026, to know exactly who is affected by a suspended US visa, and who can still travel legally.

🔑 Suspended US visa: key points to remember in 2026

• ✅ The suspension applies only to certain immigration visas
• ❌ Tourist visas and ESTA are not suspended
• ✈️ Travelers eligible for ESTA can still enter the United States
• 🎓 Student and temporary visas are assessed on a case-by-case basis
• 📅 Entry conditions for the United States in 2026 depend on the type of visa, not only the country
• 🔎 It is essential to check your travel category before departure

Suspended US visa: what exactly is this restriction about?

The terms suspended US visa, US visa suspension or suspended United States visa can be confusing. This is neither a border closure, nor a general ban on entering the United States.

👉 The announced measure concerns the temporary freeze in the processing of certain visas, mainly immigration visas, for nationals of targeted countries.

🔍 In practice:

• some visa applications are no longer processed,
• the existing entry rules remain valid,
• tourism is not affected.

What is the difference between a suspended US visa and a visa refusal?

It is essential to distinguish between a suspended US visa and a US visa refusal.

• ❌ US visa refusal: An individual decision linked to a specific file (documents, background, immigration risk).
• ⏸️ Suspended US visa: A collective administrative measure affecting a visa category, with no definitive impact on future eligibility.

👉 A suspension is therefore not a personal sanction and does not amount to a refusal.

Entry conditions for the United States in 2026: what changes and what does not

US entry conditions 2026 remain broadly similar to previous years for most travelers. There is no generalized change to the rules for accessing US territory.

✈️ What does not change:

• requirement for a valid passport
• compliance with the visa type or ESTA
• arrival screening by US authorities

📌 What is evolving:

• the processing of certain immigration visas
• increased scrutiny for certain profiles
• potentially longer processing times depending on the country

Are entry conditions for the United States in 2026 the same for everyone?

No. US entry conditions 2026 vary depending on:

• nationality
• visa type
• length and purpose of stay

US entry rules are therefore not uniform, but are based on a system of clearly defined categories.

Suspended US visa: is it a ban on entering the United States?

👉 No.

This suspension is not a ban on entry to US territory.

✔️ Travelers holding:

• a valid visa already issued
• a valid ESTA
• a visa not covered by the suspension

can continue to travel legally, subject to the standard checks on arrival.

Complete list of countries affected by the US visa suspension

The suspension applies to immigration visas only, not tourist visas or ESTA.

🧾 Visa affected: immigration visa (permanent residence)

African countries affected by the suspended US visa

• 🇩🇿 Algeria
• 🇲🇦 Morocco
• 🇹🇳 Tunisia
• 🇸🇳 Senegal
• 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire
• 🇳🇬 Nigeria
• 🇬🇭 Ghana
• 🇨🇲 Cameroon
• 🇨🇩 DRC
• 🇨🇬 Congo
• 🇷🇼 Rwanda
• 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
• 🇬🇲 Gambia
• 🇬🇳 Guinea
• 🇱🇷 Liberia
• 🇸🇴 Somalia
• 🇸🇩 Sudan
• 🇸🇸 South Sudan
• 🇹🇿 Tanzania
• 🇺🇬 Uganda
• 🇹🇬 Togo
• 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
• 🇪🇷 Eritrea
• 🇱🇾 Libya
• 🇪🇬 Egypt

Asian and Middle Eastern countries affected by the suspended US visa

• 🇦🇫 Afghanistan
• 🇮🇷 Iran
• 🇮🇶 Iraq
• 🇸🇾 Syria
• 🇾🇪 Yemen
• 🇱🇧 Lebanon
• 🇯🇴 Jordan
• 🇰🇼 Kuwait
• 🇵🇰 Pakistan
• 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
• 🇳🇵 Nepal
• 🇧🇹 Bhutan
• 🇱🇦 Laos
• 🇰🇭 Cambodia
• 🇹🇭 Thailand
• 🇲🇳 Mongolia
• 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
• 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
• 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan

Latin American and Caribbean countries affected

• 🇨🇺 Cuba
• 🇭🇹 Haiti
• 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
• 🇨🇴 Colombia
• 🇬🇹 Guatemala
• 🇳🇮 Nicaragua
• 🇧🇷 Brazil
• 🇯🇲 Jamaica
• 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda
• 🇧🇸 Bahamas
• 🇧🇧 Barbados
• 🇧🇿 Belize
• 🇩🇲 Dominica
• 🇬🇩 Grenada
• 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis
• 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia
• 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

European and Eurasian countries affected by the US visa suspension

• 🇷🇺 Russia
• 🇧🇾 Belarus
• 🇦🇱 Albania
• 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 🇽🇰 Kosovo
• 🇲🇪 Montenegro
• 🇲🇰 North Macedonia
• 🇲🇩 Moldova
• 🇬🇪 Georgia
• 🇦🇲 Armenia
• 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

Suspended US visa: which types of visas are actually affected?

When people talk about a suspended US visa, many travelers think it is a global measure affecting all types of US visas. In reality, this restriction announced by US authorities is much more targeted and applies only to certain very specific categories.

👉 It is therefore essential to distinguish between:

• immigration visas, intended for those who want to settle permanently in the United States,
• non-immigrant visas, linked to temporary stays (tourism, studies, temporary work),
• and travelers entering without a visa, via ESTA.

🔎 This distinction helps avoid confusion and understand who is actually affected by a suspended US visa, and who can continue to travel normally.

Are immigration visas suspended?

Yes. This suspension mainly targets US immigration visas.

🛂 These visas concern people who want to:

• live permanently in the United States,
• obtain a Green Card,
• join a family member long-term,
• settle for long-term professional reasons.

📌 Concretely:

• the processing of new applications for US immigration visas is suspended for certain countries,
• cases already approved may be subject to additional checks,
• this suspension is administrative and temporary, not a definitive ban.

👉 Important:

This suspension of immigration visas does not mean that nationals concerned are banned from entry, but that new permanent residence applications are not being processed for the time being.

Are tourist visas affected by the suspension?

No. The US tourist visa is not affected by the current suspension.

✈️ Travelers going to the United States for:

• tourism,
• vacations,
• family visits,
• short business trips,

are not targeted by any suspended US tourism visa measure.

✅ Tourist visas already issued remain valid

✅ Applications for a US tourist visa can still be submitted

✅ The usual stay rules apply

👉 This is a key point:

This measure does not block tourism, and there is no closure of US borders to temporary travelers.

🔥 Tourism: can you travel to the United States despite a suspended US visa?

Yes. It is entirely possible to travel to the United States despite a suspended US visa, provided you fall into a category not covered by the suspension.

🧳 Most tourist travelers are not impacted, because:

• the suspension targets immigration,
• tourism remains an economic priority,
• checks are based primarily on visa type, not nationality alone.

📍 Therefore, a suspended US visa for tourism does not exist as such.

Entry rules for temporary stays remain unchanged.

Is ESTA affected by the US visa suspension?

No. ESTA United States is not affected by the US visa suspension.

🛂 ESTA allows you to:

• travel to the United States without a visa,
• for a tourist or business stay,
• for a maximum of 90 days.

✅ Travelers eligible for ESTA can continue to:

• apply as normal,
• enter US territory,
• transit through the United States.

👉 The US visa suspension does not affect the ESTA program, which remains fully operational in 2026.

Can I enter the United States with an ESTA in 2026?

Yes. It is possible to enter the United States with an ESTA by complying with US entry conditions 2026.

📄 To travel with an ESTA, you need:

• a valid passport,
• an approved ESTA authorization,
• a temporary stay (tourism or business),
• a return or onward ticket.

✈️ US entry conditions 2026 therefore remain clear:

• ESTA is allowed,
• arrival checks are unchanged,
• the US visa suspension does not prevent tourists from entering.

👉 In summary:

A suspended US visa does not prevent travel to the United States, as long as the trip is for tourism or another authorized temporary stay.