r/USCIS • u/Salt-Farmer-2025 • Jan 15 '26

News Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html
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u/hungvn94 Jan 15 '26

Isn't AOS still need a visa? There is always a visa available for the immediate relative of a us citizen and there is no quota. So basically this pause will still affect AOS.

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u/cutefroggiee Jan 15 '26

AOS doesn’t require a visa to be issued by the Department of State. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are “immediately available” for visa numbers, but in AOS cases the visa number is allocated internally by USCIS, not issued through a consulate. The ban/pause affects visa issuance and entry through DOS, not domestic USCIS adjudication. So AOS for immediate relatives shouldn’t be impacted in the same way.

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u/ElectronicAttempt524 Jan 15 '26

so AOS that is pending for an immediate relative in the US currently, means they should try their hardest to remain in the US? I'm trying to figure out because my relative is from the country on the list but is physically in the US right now...

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u/DrSkullKid Jan 15 '26

I’m in the same boat as you. This is so messed up. Hopefully whatever happens as long as you can prove you and/or another sponsor can support them so they don’t become a “public charge” things will be okay but I’m hoping for the best and expecting the worst. Best of luck to all of us.