August 26, 2026
File: US President Donald Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 3, 2026. Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP.
The United States has paused immigrant visa applications as the Donald Trump administration moves to tighten screening and limit entry for applicants considered likely to depend on government assistance.
A US State Department official confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying the initiative was launched at American embassies and consulates in early August, per report by The Guardian UK.
The department said visa appointments had to be adjusted to accommodate “in-depth training” for consular officers as part of efforts to strengthen the assessment of applicants.
