The United States has paused the processing of immigrant visas at embassies and consulates around the world as the Trump administration introduces stricter rules for applicants who may rely on government assistance.
The US State Department confirmed that the pause began at diplomatic missions in early August, saying the temporary measure would allow visa officers to undergo “in-depth training” to ensure applicants are assessed more thoroughly and consistently.
Applicants who already had visa interviews scheduled reportedly received emails informing them that their appointments had been cancelled. They were told that new interview dates would be provided at a later time.
The administration says the policy is aimed at preventing immigrants from entering the US and subsequently relying on public benefits. It forms part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration rules.
The pause came shortly after the administration announced plans to revoke visas belonging to certain asylum seekers who initially entered the US as tourists or business visitors before seeking asylum.
The State Department argued that obtaining a visa under false pretences with the intention of later applying for asylum could constitute fraud and serve as grounds for visa cancellation.
The White House has claimed that as many as 200,000 visas could ultimately be affected, describing the measure as the largest mass visa revocation in US history.
However, the State Department has not confirmed the figure, saying the exact number remains uncertain and that any revocations would be carried out gradually.
The latest pause follows an earlier attempt by the Trump administration to introduce broader visa restrictions based on the “public charge” rule, affecting applicants from 75 countries. A federal judge recently overturned that measure.
Immigration lawyers have criticised the latest move, warning that it could cause significant hardship for applicants who have already spent thousands of dollars preparing for visa interviews and travelling to US diplomatic missions, only to have their appointments cancelled.
The State Department has not provided a definite timeline for when the cancelled interviews will be rescheduled.
The administration has also introduced other immigration-related measures, including greater scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity and increased visa processing fees.