The U.S. Department of State indefinitely suspended immigrant visa issuance for nationals from 75 countries.
The suspension takes effect January 21, 2026.
The DoS aims to reassess procedures determining if applicants are likely to become financially dependent on the U.S. government.
The policy affects applicants processing at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.
The policy presents a challenge for Duolingo.
A significant portion of Duolingo’s user base learns English specifically for immigration purposes.
A halt in new immigrant visas could reduce the platform’s pipeline of prospective users.