State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide

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State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide

August 27, 2026

On August 25, 2026, the U.S. State Department directed U.S. Consulates around the world to postpone immigrant visa interviews while consular officers complete new training on public charge screening. The pause applies globally and affects applicants who have already reached the interview stage (or who would reach that stage while the training period is ongoing).

Who is impacted?

The pause applies to all Immigrant Visa interviews globally, i.e. interviews related to consular green card applications. Consular interviews for nonimmigrant visas (e.g. tourist visas, H visas, etc.) are not impacted by the pause. USCIS interviews, including interviews for Adjustment of Status applications, are also not impacted.

Immigrant visa applicants whose interviews have already been scheduled should be alert for communication from the National Visa Center regarding potential rescheduling. Immigrant visa applicants who haven’t yet scheduled an interview may experience a delay in getting the appointment scheduled until the training period concludes.

When will the training period conclude?

The State Department has not announced when the training will conclude, or when appointments will resume on a normal schedule. We are monitoring for further guidance, and will provide updates once concrete timelines and procedural details are available.

TAGS: Department of State, Immigrant Visa, Interviews, Public Charge