Candidates who had interviews scheduled at US embassies and consulates have been knowledgeable by e mail that their appointments are postponed. They are going to be notified later about new dates and instances.
Citing a US State Division spokesperson, the information report stated the administration needs to make sure that individuals making use of for immigrant visas are unlikely to turn out to be a ‘public cost’ or depend on public advantages meant for eligible People.
The division started a worldwide coaching programme this month to assist consular officers assess visa purposes extra completely and apply the principles persistently.
The State Division has not given a date for when regular appointment schedules will resume. It stated visa providers can be adjusted whereas officers full the coaching, the information report stated.
Newest transfer to tighten US immigration
Since starting his second time period in 2025, President Donald Trump has intensified his immigration crackdown within the US. The transfer comes because the administration expands scrutiny of immigration purposes and strengthens vetting necessities for these in search of to enter or settle within the US. His administration has additionally launched tighter guidelines for visas and inexperienced playing cards and moved to largely finish the US refugee resettlement programme.
Trump has additionally expanded deportation operations, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brokers finishing up raids throughout the nation.
The newest visa pause follows a court docket ruling final week that blocked an earlier administration coverage concentrating on immigrants from 75 lower-income international locations. The administration had stated that candidates from these international locations could possibly be extra prone to require authorities help.
H-1B visa payment row
The transfer to cancel US visa appointments worldwide got here a day after the Trump administration proposed a $103,265 software payment for H-1B visas. The H-1B is a non-immigrant work visa that enables US corporations to make use of expert employees from different international locations.
The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) proposal follows Trump’s announcement final 12 months that he wished to boost the H-1B visa payment to $100,000. Nevertheless, a court docket put the president’s proclamation on maintain in June this 12 months.
The proposed payment change is anticipated to maneuver ahead after a 30-day interval throughout which the general public can submit feedback.
Court docket challenges to Trump’s immigration insurance policies
Trump’s immigration insurance policies have confronted repeated authorized challenges. Throughout his first time period, federal courts blocked an try to stop residents of seven Muslim international locations from coming into the US. The Supreme Court docket later allowed a narrower model of the journey restrictions to take impact.
Within the newest case, US District Decide Jeannette Vargas dominated final week towards a State Division coverage introduced in January that had paused immigration purposes from 75 international locations. Vargas stated the coverage interfered with the authority and decision-making powers that Congress had given to consular officers in visa issues. She cancelled the coverage and visa refusals made beneath it.
The decide has given each side till September 11 to recommend how the remaining points within the case must be resolved.
Immigrant visa processing guidelines
The administration has additionally modified the place immigrant visa candidates are anticipated to course of their purposes.
Since final 12 months, candidates have been required to finish immigrant visa processing of their nation of citizenship. This has affected individuals who might already be legally residing and dealing within the US, together with some who’re married to US residents or have kids who’re Americans.
