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US immigration policy changed at an unprecedented pace in 2025 and 2026, and many decisions ended up in court. This article separates what is in force from what courts have stopped.
What is in force
| Measure | From | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Travel ban (Proclamation 10998) | 1 January 2026 | Full visa suspension for 19 countries including Iran, partial for 20 |
| Interviews in the country of nationality or residence | September and November 2025 | The end of "apply anywhere" |
| Wage-weighted H-1B lottery | February 2026 | Better odds for higher wages |
| Visitor visa bond | April 2026 for Georgia | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Gold Card | December 2025 | Operating, with very few approvals and a pending lawsuit |
What courts have stopped (appeals pending)
- The USCIS hold on nationals of travel-ban countries: vacated in June 2026.
- The 75-country immigrant visa pause (including Georgia): vacated in August 2026, with cases being processed again.
- The $100,000 H-1B payment: vacated and blocked; not collected.
- Fixed admission periods for students: blocked in September 2026.
What is coming
- The 180-day review of the travel ban
- The EB-5 inflation adjustment from 1 January 2027
- Announcement of DV-2028 lottery dates
- Appeals court rulings
Our advice
Turkish and Georgian nationals still have many routes. For Iranians on Iranian passports, until the position changes, European and UK routes are more realistic. Remaining routes for Iranian nationals
Based on presidential proclamations, USCIS and State Department notices and court rulings up to October 2026.
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