Wednesday, August 26th 2026 - 16:41 UTC
The measure mainly affects family- and employment-based residence applicants processing their cases through a consulate
The United States State Department has instructed its embassies and consulates worldwide to reschedule immigrant visa interviews, the category covering applicants for permanent residence from abroad, while consular officers complete a training programme on admissibility criteria.
“In early August, we launched a global training initiative at all of our embassies and consulates worldwide. To accommodate this in-depth training, appointments for visa services will be adjusted,” a department spokesperson said. Spokesman Tommy Pigott added that the aim is “ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge, as defined under US law and regulation.” The department has not specified how long the training will last or when normal scheduling will resume.
The measure mainly affects family- and employment-based residence applicants processing their cases through a consulate. Available information does not establish a general suspension of non-immigrant visa interviews, such as those for tourism, business or study, although the official wording is ambiguous in referring generically to “visa services.” Applicants with confirmed appointments have received emails informing them of rescheduling, with no alternative date. Queues formed outside the US embassy in Bogotá of people seeking information after their appointments were cancelled.
