Presidential Proclamation 10998: What It Means For Immigrant Visa Cases In 2026

Presidential Proclamation 10998, issued on January 1, 2026, created a new immigrant visa ban affecting nationals from 75 countries. This policy has caused confusion for families, employers, and applicants who are unsure whether they can still file immigration petitions or whether their cases will be delayed.

This guide explains what the proclamation does, how it affects your case, and practical tips to protect your immigration process.

What Is Presidential Proclamation 10998?

Presidential Proclamation 10998 is an executive order that suspends the issuance of immigrant visas at U.S. consulates for nationals of certain countries. It is important to understand that the proclamation:

• Does not stop USCIS from accepting immigration filings
• Does not stop the National Visa Center (NVC) from processing documents
• Does not stop consulates from interviewing applicants
• Only stops the final visa issuance

After the interview, cases are placed in administrative hold until the ban is lifted.

How the Visa Ban Affects Immigration Cases

1. You can still file immigration petitions (I‑130, I‑140, I‑360, etc.)

The proclamation blocks visa issuance, not case filing. USCIS continues to process:

• Family petitions
• Employment petitions
• VAWA petitions
• Adjustment of Status applications (if eligible)

Once your case reaches the consulate, it will be placed in administrative processing until the ban ends.

2. No one knows when the ban will be lifted

There is no official timeline. When President Trump issued the Muslim Ban in 2017, it remained in place until the end of his term and was rescinded only when President Biden took office.

If this new ban follows the same pattern, it may last:

• Until the end of Trump’s second term, or
• Until a future president rescinds it

Families should plan accordingly.

3. Do not wait to file — early cases will move first

Cases already in administrative hold will be processed first when the ban ends.

If you wait to file:

• You will start later
• You will complete NVC steps later
• You will be placed behind the existing backlog

Filing now protects your place in line.

4. More countries may be added to the banned list

The proclamation allows the government to expand the list at any time.

If your country is not currently affected, filing now may allow you to secure an immigrant visa before your country is added.

5. Some nonimmigrant visas may still be available

The ban applies to immigrant visas, not all temporary visas.

Depending on the country, applicants may still qualify for:

• F‑1 student visas
• H‑1B work visas
• B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas
• K‑1 fiancé visas

However, some countries are also subject to a partial nonimmigrant visa ban that blocks B‑1, B‑2, F, M, and J visas. Applicants should verify whether their country is affected.

6. Consider obtaining citizenship in another eligible country

If you have a parent or family member from a country not on the banned list, you may qualify for citizenship in that country.

Example: A Nigerian national with an Australian‑born parent may be eligible for Australian citizenship. Once obtained, the applicant is no longer subject to the Trump visa ban.

This strategy can provide a legal pathway around the proclamation.

7. Immigration laws are changing weekly — work with an attorney

Since Trump took office, immigration policies have been changing rapidly, sometimes weekly. It is important to work with an attorney who:

• Practices immigration law full‑time
• Monitors policy changes
• Understands how the proclamation affects different visa categories
• Can help you avoid delays or denials

For more information on Presidential Proclamation 10998: What It Means for Immigrant Visa Cases in 2026 a consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (281) 777-1236 today!

Common Questions We Can Help You With

1. What is Presidential Proclamation 10998?
2. Which countries are included in Presidential Proclamation 10998?
3. When did Presidential Proclamation 10998 go into effect?
4. How long will Presidential Proclamation 10998 last?
5. Does Presidential Proclamation 10998 stop all immigration?
6. What types of visas are affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
7. Does Presidential Proclamation 10998 affect family‑based immigration?
8. Does Presidential Proclamation 10998 affect employment‑based immigration?
9. Does Presidential Proclamation 10998 affect VAWA or humanitarian cases?
10. Is Presidential Proclamation 10998 similar to the Muslim Ban?
11. Can I still file an I‑130 during the visa ban?
12. Can I still file an I‑140 during the visa ban?
13. Can I still file an I‑485 if my country is banned?
14. Should I file my immigration case during the visa ban?
15. Will USCIS reject my case because of the visa ban?
16. Will NVC continue processing my case during the ban?
17. Will the consulate still schedule interviews during the ban?
18. What happens after my visa interview during the ban?
19. What does “administrative hold” mean for my case?
20. Will my priority date still move forward during the ban?
21. Are student visas affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
22. Can I still apply for an F‑1 visa if my country is banned?
23. Are B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas affected by the new visa ban?
24. Are work visas like H‑1B affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
25. Are fiancé visas (K‑1) affected by the visa ban?
26. What is the partial nonimmigrant visa ban?
27. Which countries are affected by the partial nonimmigrant visa ban?
28. Is Nigeria affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
29. Is Pakistan affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
30. Is Ethiopia affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
31. Is Ghana affected by Presidential Proclamation 10998?
32. Can more countries be added to the visa ban list?
33. What should I do if my country is added to the visa ban?
34. Should I file my case now or wait until the ban ends?
35. Will filing early help my case move faster after the ban?
36. What happens if I wait to file my immigration case?
37. How can I avoid delays caused by the visa ban?
38. Can I change my country of chargeability to avoid the ban?
39. Can dual citizenship help me avoid the visa ban?
40. How can I get citizenship in another country to avoid the ban?
41. Can I sue the government because of the visa ban?
42. Is the visa ban constitutional?
43. Can Congress overturn Presidential Proclamation 10998?
44. Can a future president remove the visa ban?
45. How did the Supreme Court rule on similar bans in the past?
46. How does the visa ban affect spouses of U.S. citizens?
47. How does the visa ban affect parents of U.S. citizens?
48. How does the visa ban affect children of U.S. citizens?
49. Can my family still immigrate if my country is banned?
50. What should families do during the visa ban to prepare?

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