What happened: the State Department decision
In January 2026, the US Department of State officially suspended the processing of immigration visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Russia and Belarus. This decision, taken as part of a broad review of the current administration's immigration policy, directly affects tens of thousands of people awaiting an immigration visa to the United States.
The suspension covers all categories of immigration visas: family reunification visas, diversity visas (lottery), employment-based immigration visas and, critically, K-1 fiancé(e) visas. No resumption date has been communicated, and the State Department has indicated that the situation will be reassessed on a case-by-case and country-by-country basis.
For Russia, this measure adds to an already strained context. Sanctions and diplomatic restrictions imposed since 2022 had already slowed US consular processing in Russia. The closure of the US consulate in Yekaterinburg and the drastic reduction in staffing in Moscow had extended processing times to historic levels — sometimes 18 to 24 months for a simple immigration visa appointment.
The 75 countries affected
The list primarily comprises countries in Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia. Within the post-Soviet space, the following are affected:
- Russia: all categories of immigration visas suspended.
- Belarus: same regime as Russia.
- Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan: included in the list.
- Ukraine: not affected by this suspension (Ukrainian citizens benefit from specific protection programmes).
- Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan: not included at this stage.
The complete list is published on the State Department website (travel.state.gov). It is subject to change.
Direct impact on the K-1 (fiancé/fiancée) visa
What is the K-1 visa?
The K-1 visa, commonly known as the fiancé(e) visa, is a non-immigrant visa that allows the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the United States in order to marry within 90 days. Once the marriage is performed, the beneficiary can apply for an adjustment of status to obtain a green card (permanent residence).
This visa is essential for the thousands of Russian-American couples that form each year. It was already subject to a lengthy and expensive process: filing of the I-129F petition by the US citizen, processing by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), transfer of the file to the National Visa Center, and then processing by the US Embassy in Moscow.
The situation before the suspension
Before January 2026, the average processing time for a K-1 case involving a Russian national was already approximately 12 to 18 months, from petition filing to visa issuance. Delays were caused by the overloaded consular services in Moscow, enhanced security checks and the diplomatic context.
What the suspension changes in practice
The suspension means that:
- I-129F petitions currently being processed by USCIS continue to be reviewed, but even if approved, the visa cannot be issued while the suspension remains in effect.
- Files transferred to the National Visa Center are frozen. No interview appointments are being scheduled.
- Consular interviews already scheduled have been cancelled with no immediate possibility of rescheduling.
- New petitions can still be filed, but with no foreseeable processing timeline.
In practice, Russian-American couples engaged in a K-1 process face an indeterminate wait on top of already considerable delays.
Consequences for Russian-American couples
The human impact is substantial. Thousands of couples find themselves in a situation of prolonged uncertainty, with consequences for their personal, professional and financial lives.
Extended separation
Many couples have been living apart for months, or even years, while waiting for the K-1 visa. The suspension adds a further indeterminate delay. Mutual visits are complicated: obtaining a B-1/B-2 tourist visa for the United States from Russia has become difficult, and US citizens must obtain a visa to travel to Russia.
Financial costs
The costs already incurred in the K-1 process (USCIS petition: $535, visa fee: $265, medical examination: $200-400, certified translations, travel) are non-refundable. Some couples have spent between $2,000 and $5,000 on the process without reaching a conclusion.
Legal uncertainty
The absence of a resumption timeline creates permanent anxiety. I-129F petitions have limited validity, and couples are concerned about the risk of their cases expiring.
Possible alternatives
Faced with this impasse, several options are being considered by affected couples, each with its advantages and limitations.
B-1/B-2 tourist visa
The US tourist visa allows a stay of up to 6 months. It does not permit working or marrying in the United States with the intent to remain (this would constitute immigration fraud). However, it does allow visiting one's partner.
The approval rate for B-1/B-2 visas for Russian applicants has fallen in recent years. The risk of refusal is high, particularly if the consular officer suspects an immigration intent. A pending K-1 petition is precisely an indicator of such intent.
Marriage abroad and CR-1/IR-1 visa
An alternative is to marry in a third country (Turkey, Georgia, UAE, Serbia, Latin American countries) and then file an I-130 spousal visa petition, which leads to a CR-1 visa (marriage less than 2 years old) or IR-1 visa (marriage more than 2 years old). However, CR-1 and IR-1 visas are also immigration visas and are therefore equally affected by the suspension.
Third-country processing
Some immigration attorneys are exploring the possibility of having the K-1 case processed at a US embassy in a third country (known as third-country national processing). This approach is complex, requires strong justification (absence of a functional consulate in the country of residence) and is accepted only on a case-by-case basis. US embassies in Georgia, Armenia and Turkey are the most frequently mentioned.
Waiting for the suspension to be lifted
For many couples, waiting remains the only viable option. Given the volatile nature of US politics, a partial or full lifting of the suspension could come at any time — or the suspension could continue indefinitely.
Outlook: how long is this likely to last?
The question every affected couple asks is how long this will last. No definitive answer is possible, but several contextual factors help sketch out potential scenarios.
Factors favouring a swift resolution
- Legal pressure: several class action lawsuits have been filed in US federal courts by immigrant rights organisations and by US citizens whose partners are affected. Court rulings could compel the administration to resume processing.
- Political pressure: affected American citizens constitute an active advocacy group, organising campaigns with their elected representatives in Congress.
- Precedents: similar suspensions in the past have rarely lasted more than 6 to 12 months before being partially lifted.
Unfavourable factors
- Geopolitical context: US-Russia relations remain at their lowest point, and Russia is specifically targeted by restrictions.
- Policy orientation: the current administration's restrictive immigration policy shows no sign of easing in the short term.
- Consular capacity: even if the suspension is lifted, the accumulated backlog will take months to clear.
The reasonable estimate, according to immigration attorneys consulted, is a suspension lasting 6 to 18 months, with a possible phased lifting by visa category or by country.
What couples can do now
While awaiting a change in the situation, here are the concrete steps recommended:
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Consult a specialist US immigration attorney: the situation is too complex and too volatile to manage without legal advice. Firms such as Boundless, RapidVisa and Visalaw have specific expertise in Russian-American K-1 cases.
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Keep your file up to date: continue gathering necessary documents, renew those that are expiring, maintain proof of your relationship (correspondence, photographs, communication records).
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Monitor official updates: regularly check the State Department website (travel.state.gov) and USCIS announcements.
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Join support communities: groups on Facebook, Reddit and Telegram bring together thousands of couples in the same situation. Information sharing and mutual support are invaluable.
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Explore alternative geographical options: for couples open to living in Europe, France and the Schengen area offer family reunification possibilities with separate procedures, independent of US restrictions. The French spouse visa is a path worth exploring if one partner holds French nationality or a French residence permit.
An important reminder
This suspension applies to US immigration visas. Visa procedures for the Schengen area, France, Canada, the United Kingdom and other destinations remain independent and continue to operate under their own rules. Couples considering building their lives together in Europe have different options available, with their own criteria and timelines.