Washington: The United States has temporarily put immigrant visa appointments on hold worldwide, with applicants who had already secured interview dates being informed that their appointments would be rescheduled.
The move comes as the Donald Trump administration steps up scrutiny of immigration applications and introduces tougher measures affecting both legal and illegal immigration.
According to the US State Department, the pause is linked to a global training programme for consular officers. The department said the initiative is intended to ensure officers at American embassies and consulates apply visa screening procedures comprehensively and consistently.
Applicants with scheduled interviews have reportedly received messages informing them that their appointments would be moved to later dates. The State Department has not provided a specific timeline for when normal appointment scheduling will resume.
Why Has Washington Put Appointments on Hold?
The latest move is connected to the administration’s effort to more closely assess whether visa applicants could become dependent on public assistance in the US.
A State Department spokesperson told the Financial Times that the screening process would focus, among other considerations, on whether applicants were likely to become a public charge or rely on public benefits intended for eligible Americans.
Reuters reported that the department described the measure as part of a global training initiative being conducted at US diplomatic missions. Visa appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training programme.
The disruption has raised concerns among applicants who had already made travel arrangements and incurred expenses for scheduled interviews.
H-1B Fee Proposal Adds to Immigration Uncertainty
The development comes shortly after the US Department of Homeland Security proposed a major increase in the cost of an H-1B visa application.
Under the proposal announced on August 24, the fee would rise to $103,265. The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialised occupations and is widely used by technology companies. The proposal remains subject to the regulatory process and public comments.
The proposed increase has added another layer of uncertainty for foreign professionals and American companies that depend on overseas skilled workers.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
The latest visa-related action is part of a wider immigration policy shift under Trump’s second administration.
Washington has pursued tougher enforcement measures, including increased deportation efforts and greater scrutiny of immigration applications. The administration has also taken steps affecting visas and green cards, including actions involving applicants’ political activities.
Several of these policies have faced legal challenges. In a recent ruling, a US federal judge struck down a State Department policy that had suspended immigrant visa applications involving nationals of 75 countries, finding that the administration had exceeded the authority granted to the Secretary of State.
What Applicants Should Expect
For now, applicants whose immigrant visa interviews have been postponed will have to wait for new appointment dates from US diplomatic missions.
The State Department has not announced a fixed date for the end of the temporary adjustment. Applicants are therefore likely to face uncertainty over travel plans, processing timelines and other arrangements connected with their immigration cases.
The latest development comes at a time when the US is simultaneously reviewing its visa screening procedures and proposing significantly higher fees for certain employment-based visas, signalling a broader tightening of America’s immigration system.
