diff --git a/migration/migration.c b/migration/migration.c
index 3deded90e5..05aec2c905 100644
--- a/migration/migration.c
+++ b/migration/migration.c
@@ -1507,6 +1507,35 @@ void qmp_migrate_recover(const char *uri, Error **errp)
     qemu_start_incoming_migration(uri, errp);
 }
 
+void qmp_migrate_pause(Error **errp)
+{
+    MigrationState *ms = migrate_get_current();
+    MigrationIncomingState *mis = migration_incoming_get_current();
+    int ret;
+
+    if (ms->state == MIGRATION_STATUS_POSTCOPY_ACTIVE) {
+        /* Source side, during postcopy */
+        qemu_mutex_lock(&ms->qemu_file_lock);
+        ret = qemu_file_shutdown(ms->to_dst_file);
+        qemu_mutex_unlock(&ms->qemu_file_lock);
+        if (ret) {
+            error_setg(errp, "Failed to pause source migration");
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (mis->state == MIGRATION_STATUS_POSTCOPY_ACTIVE) {
+        ret = qemu_file_shutdown(mis->from_src_file);
+        if (ret) {
+            error_setg(errp, "Failed to pause destination migration");
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    error_setg(errp, "migrate-pause is currently only supported "
+               "during postcopy-active state");
+}
+
 bool migration_is_blocked(Error **errp)
 {
     if (qemu_savevm_state_blocked(errp)) {
diff --git a/qapi/migration.json b/qapi/migration.json
index da351d7421..23ba85ed3a 100644
--- a/qapi/migration.json
+++ b/qapi/migration.json
@@ -1211,3 +1211,19 @@
 ##
 { 'command': 'migrate-recover', 'data': { 'uri': 'str' },
   'allow-oob': true }
+
+##
+# @migrate-pause:
+#
+# Pause a migration.  Currently it only supports postcopy.
+#
+# Returns: nothing.
+#
+# Example:
+#
+# -> { "execute": "migrate-pause" }
+# <- { "return": {} }
+#
+# Since: 2.13
+##
+{ 'command': 'migrate-pause', 'allow-oob': true }