The U.S. Department of State has temporarily paused immigrant visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The pause is related to training for consular officers on public charge determinations for immigrant visa applicants.
What This Means for Applicants
Applicants who already have immigrant visa interviews scheduled may receive notices that their appointments have been cancelled or postponed. New interview dates will be provided once interviews resume. At this time, the State Department has not announced how long the pause will last or when immigrant visa interviews will resume.
There is also no indication that this pause affects nonimmigrant visa applications, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas and H-1B visas.
Why Are Interviews Being Paused?
The training focuses on how consular officers should evaluate whether an immigrant visa applicant is likely to become a public charge. Factors considered may include:
- Age and health
- Financial resources
- Education and skills
- Family circumstances and available support
The training follows a recent federal court decision involving a separate State Department policy concerning immigrant visa processing for nationals of certain countries.
What Applicants Should Do
If you have an upcoming immigrant visa interview:
- Monitor your email and the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case for updates.
- Continue preparing your documents and completing any required pre-interview steps unless instructed otherwise.
- Be prepared for delays in visa issuance and your planned travel to the United States.
A new DHS public charge rule is also scheduled to take effect on September 18, 2026, for certain adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS. USCIS has not announced a pause in adjustment of status adjudications.
Bottom Line
Please expect delays while the State Department completes its training and resumes immigrant visa interviews. Additional delays may occur as consulates work through postponed appointments.
We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional information becomes available. If you have questions about how this may affect your organization or immigration matters, or if you would like a case-specific assessment, please book an appointment here.