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ARTICLE · 13 JANUARY 2026

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US Expands Visa Limitations: What You Need To Know

Barnes & Thornburg LLP
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Since 2025, the U.S. has implemented a variety of visa limitations for foreign nationals, including travel restrictions, visa bonds, adjudicative holds, and the review of prior admissions.

United StatesImmigration
M. Mercedes Badia-Tavas
M. Mercedes Badia-Tavas
Michael E. Durham
Michael E. Durham
Sarah J. Hawk
Sarah J. Hawk
Tieranny Cutler
Tieranny Cutler
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Highlights

  • Since 2025, the U.S. has implemented a variety of visa limitations for foreign nationals, including travel restrictions, visa bonds, adjudicative holds, and the review of prior admissions.
  • These limitations now affect nationals of a total of 57 countries, as well as individuals holding documents issued by Palestinian authority.
  • Employers with an international workforce are advised to carefully review active restrictions on a rolling basis to advise employees accordingly and avoid any lapse in work authorization.
  • The additional scrutiny and series of restrictions are expected to lengthen processing times across all case types.

The new year brought with it a continuation of restrictions issued in 2025 with the U.S. Department of State expanding its visa limitations to include adjudicative holds and bonds in addition to existing visa issuance and travel restrictions.

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