The United States has paused visa appointments for applicants worldwide as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration rules. The US State Department said visa services at embassies and consulates were being adjusted to accommodate a global training initiative for consular officers.
Applicants with previously scheduled visa interviews have reportedly been informed that their appointments were cancelled and that new dates and times would be communicated later. Authorities have not specified how long the disruption to visa appointments will continue.
According to the State Department, the global training programme is intended to help consular officers evaluate visa applications more comprehensively and consistently. The initiative is also focused on screening applicants who may be considered likely to become dependent on public benefits in the United States.
The pause comes amid broader changes to US immigration and visa policies under President Donald Trump. The administration has increased scrutiny across several visa categories as part of its wider immigration crackdown.
The US is also considering the revocation of B1 and B2 business and tourist visas for up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the country. The proposed move could affect visas issued between 2016 and 2026.
Under the reported plan, individuals whose asylum cases remain pending may lose their business or tourist visa status without necessarily facing immediate deportation. The State Department and Department of Homeland Security are expected to coordinate on the proposed action.
The Trump administration has also proposed a significant additional fee for certain H-1B visa applications. The proposed USD 103,265 charge would apply to cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those filed under the advanced degree exemption, while some petitions from universities, research organisations and government research bodies could remain exempt.
The proposal could substantially increase costs for American companies seeking to hire foreign skilled professionals and may particularly affect Indian applicants, who represent a significant share of H-1B visa beneficiaries.
The Department of Homeland Security has opened the proposal for public comments before deciding whether to introduce a final rule.
The latest measures are part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to strengthen immigration screening, increase visa restrictions and reduce illegal immigration. The policies have also faced criticism and legal challenges from rights groups and others who have raised concerns about due process and the impact on legal immigration.
In a recent legal setback for the administration, a US court struck down a policy that had suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that the measure exceeded the authority granted under existing law.
With visa appointments now being adjusted worldwide, applicants are likely to face uncertainty until US embassies and consulates provide updated schedules and further details about the global training programme.
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