US Consular Training Halts Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide
Immigrant visa applicants have been told their scheduled interviews are on hold while US consular officers undergo a new global training program.
US embassies and consulates around the globe have emailed immigrant visa applicants informing them that their interview slots are being delayed until after a newly launched training for consular officers. The State Department said the pause is intended to equip officers with tools to evaluate each case comprehensively and to tighten public-charge screening, aiming to keep out applicants who might become dependent on US benefits.
Applicants have not received new appointment dates, and the department offered no schedule for when interviews will restart. The move comes amid a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration and follows a federal judge’s recent decision striking down a policy that barred visas for nationals of 75 countries. Immigration lawyers note that many affected individuals have already incurred significant expenses and, for some, the cancellation forces extended stays abroad away from families and jobs in the United States.
Why it matters
The pause disrupts visa processing for thousands worldwide and reflects a tightening of US immigration policy.
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