The US State Department has temporarily paused and rescheduled immigrant visa appointments at embassies and consulates worldwide.
The move comes as the department launches a global training program for consular officers. US officials said visa appointments are being adjusted so officers can complete the new training.
The State Department said the training will help consular officers evaluate visa applicants more thoroughly and consistently.
A major focus will be the “public charge” assessment. Under US immigration law, officials can deny an immigrant visa if they determine that an applicant is likely to become dependent on certain government benefits after entering the country.
The department has been developing updated guidance and training to improve how consular officers make these assessments.
The change is already affecting applicants who had confirmed immigrant visa interviews.
According to reports, applicants with scheduled appointments at US embassies and consulates have received emails informing them that their interviews are being rescheduled.
However, authorities have not announced a date for appointments to fully resume. Affected applicants are expected to receive new interview dates later.
The State Department has also not disclosed how long the worldwide training program will continue.
The latest move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues tightening both illegal and legal immigration policies during his second term.
The administration has introduced tougher visa screening, increased scrutiny of applicants and taken steps to revoke some visas and green cards.
It has also placed greater emphasis on determining whether prospective immigrants could rely on US public assistance.
The appointment pause follows a legal setback for another Trump administration immigration policy.
A US federal judge recently struck down a policy that had suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries.
The court ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not have the legal authority to impose the restriction in the manner used by the administration.
Despite that ruling, the State Department can continue applying existing immigration law, including public-charge requirements, when reviewing individual visa applications.
Applicants with upcoming immigrant visa interviews should closely monitor emails from their respective US embassy or consulate.
Those whose appointments are affected are expected to receive information about rescheduling directly from US authorities.
For now, the suspension adds further uncertainty for thousands of prospective immigrants worldwide as the State Department completes its new screening and training program.
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