Washington suspends immigrant visa appointments at all its embassies
The U.S. Department of State has announced the suspension of visa service appointments at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, following the launch of a global training program for consular staff. A spokesperson for the department stated that visa appointments will be adjusted to accommodate this training, which began in early August, without specifying an end date.
According to the official account, the training aims to enable consular officers to evaluate every visa application comprehensively and consistently, and to scrutinize whether the applicant is likely to rely on public assistance in the United States, known as the "public charge" requirement. The decision is part of a series of measures through which the U.S. administration has tightened immigration restrictions during President Donald Trump's second term.
The direct impact falls on immigrant visa applicants who already had interviews scheduled. Many have received emails stating that their appointments are being rescheduled and that they will be notified of a new date later, without clarity on when. Reports from immigration attorneys indicate that applicants have spent thousands of dollars and arranged their affairs to travel for interviews that were canceled shortly before they were due to take place.
What to do now: Check your email, including your junk folder, for any rescheduling notification, and keep a copy of it along with your case number. Do not cancel your booking yourself and do not open a new application, as this may send you to the back of the queue. Monitor the U.S. Embassy page in your country and the visa appointment booking website for official updates, and avoid intermediaries who promise to expedite appointments for a fee. If you have sensitive dates associated with your application, such as the near expiration of a medical exam or an already issued immigrant visa, consult a specialized attorney before taking any action.
The State Department did not specify the duration of the suspension, nor did it clarify whether it covers all visa categories or immigrant visas alone.