Visa Processing Resumes for Poland & Hungary After Court Strikes Down 2026 Ban

In January 2026, the US Department of State suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries, halting permanent residence pathways for tens of thousands of applicants worldwide. The sweeping restriction affected all categories of immigrant visas, including employment-based categories such as EB-3. On August 21, 2026, federal judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled the suspension policy unlawful, marking a significant legal victory for affected visa applicants. The court decision compelled the Department of State to reassess its applicant screening procedures and temporarily paused further visa issuance while new protocols were established. Following the ruling, the US has begun resuming immigrant visa processing on a country-by-country basis. Poland and Hungary are among the first nations for which processing has restarted, signaling a gradual rollback of the January suspension. For EB-3 applicants from affected countries, this development is a critical positive step. Those whose cases were stalled due to the suspension may now see their applications advance through the National Visa Center and consular processing pipeline once again. Applicants from countries still under suspension should monitor State Department announcements closely, as additional countries are expected to be cleared for resumption in the coming weeks. Consulting with an immigration attorney is advisable to understand current case status and next steps.