The U.S. State Department will stop issuing immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries from 21 January 2026 while it reviews so-called “public-charge” risks. Non-immigrant categories such as H-1B, L-1 and B-1/B-2 are unaffected.
Although Germany itself is not on the list, the freeze complicates mobility planning for German corporations that source talent from Africa, Asia and South America. Engineers already selected for U.S. green-card sponsorship via consular processing must either switch to in-country adjustment of status—adding six to nine months—or defer U.S. start dates. Diversity-visa lottery winners working in Berlin’s tech scene could also lose eligibility if the pause extends past the U.S. fiscal-year deadline of 30 September.
![US Immigrant-Visa Freeze Creates Headaches for German Multinationals]()
Frankfurt-based immigration attorneys estimate that a three-month hold would add 15 percent to their 2026 relocation caseloads due to re-filings. Automotive suppliers in Baden-Württemberg warn that delayed transfers to U.S. plants will disrupt model-year launch calendars, while pharmaceutical firms fear project slippage at FDA-regulated facilities.
HR teams are advised to audit all cases routed through U.S. consulates and to brief candidates on contingency plans. Where possible, employers can shift staff onto L-1 intracompany transfer visas, but eligibility hinges on one year of prior employment abroad. Budget holders should prepare for increased legal fees and potential project-delay penalties.
Although Germany itself is not on the list, the freeze complicates mobility planning for German corporations that source talent from Africa, Asia and South America. Engineers already selected for U.S. green-card sponsorship via consular processing must either switch to in-country adjustment of status—adding six to nine months—or defer U.S. start dates. Diversity-visa lottery winners working in Berlin’s tech scene could also lose eligibility if the pause extends past the U.S. fiscal-year deadline of 30 September.
Frankfurt-based immigration attorneys estimate that a three-month hold would add 15 percent to their 2026 relocation caseloads due to re-filings. Automotive suppliers in Baden-Württemberg warn that delayed transfers to U.S. plants will disrupt model-year launch calendars, while pharmaceutical firms fear project slippage at FDA-regulated facilities.
HR teams are advised to audit all cases routed through U.S. consulates and to brief candidates on contingency plans. Where possible, employers can shift staff onto L-1 intracompany transfer visas, but eligibility hinges on one year of prior employment abroad. Budget holders should prepare for increased legal fees and potential project-delay penalties.
Source: VisaHQ Global Mobility News
