The US State Department has paused immigrant-visa appointments at all of its embassies and consulates while consular officers complete a global training programme, Reuters reported on August 25, 2026. Applicants who already had an interview booked have been told by email that it will be rescheduled; no new dates have been announced.
The training concerns the “public charge” rule — the assessment of whether an applicant is likely to depend on public benefits in the United States — and the department says it wants that test applied “comprehensively and consistently”. The pause does not cover visitor visas (B1/B2), student visas or Visa Waiver travel with an ESTA: a trip to the United States is unaffected.
Separately, a federal judge struck down on August 22 the suspension of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, ruling it exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority.