The United States has lifted its January pause on issuing immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, following a court order, The Economic Times reports.
The US Department of State says the pause is no longer in effect as of Aug 21.
The pause took effect on Jan 21 and covered immigrant visa applicants from countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan, the Indian daily reported.
During the pause, applicants from the affected countries could still submit visa applications and attend interviews.
The department also continued to schedule immigrant visa interviews.
With the pause lifted, applicants can proceed with the immigrant visa process under the applicable rules.
The list of countries covered by the January pause included Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, the Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, the Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
Dual nationals applying with a valid passport from a country outside the list were exempt from the pause.
Children being adopted by US citizens could also qualify for an exception, including a National Interest Exception under Presidential Proclamation 10998, where applicable.
American families pursuing adoption were advised to continue the regular process, submit visa applications and attend consular interviews.
The state department said the guidance did not revoke any existing immigrant visas. Questions about admission to the US were referred to the Department of Homeland Security.
The pause applied only to immigrant visa applicants.
Tourist visas, which are non-immigrant visas, were not covered.
Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/us-lifts-january-immigrant-visa-pause-for-bangladesh-74-other-countries
