US Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide Amid Immigration Crackdown

The United States has temporarily paused immigrant visa appointments at its embassies and consulates worldwide, according to reports, as the Donald Trump administration steps up scrutiny of immigration applications.

The move comes as the administration pushes tighter immigration controls and seeks to strengthen screening of applicants who could potentially become reliant on US public assistance. The Financial Times first reported the global pause, citing a State Department official.

However, the US State Department has said the disruption is linked to a global training programme for consular officers. A department spokesperson told Reuters that training has begun at US embassies and consulates around the world and that visa appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the programme.

Applicants receive appointment changes

The reported pause has affected scheduled interviews, with some applicants being informed that their appointments would be rescheduled. The State Department has not provided a specific timeline for when normal appointment scheduling will resume.

The development is particularly significant for people awaiting immigrant visas, which are used by foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the US.

H-1B fee proposal adds to immigration concerns

The visa disruption comes amid another major immigration policy move by the Trump administration.

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed making the $103,265 fee for new H-1B applications permanent. The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire skilled foreign workers, particularly in technology and other specialised sectors.

The proposed fee is substantially higher than the earlier H-1B application costs and has triggered opposition from businesses and other stakeholders.

Broader immigration crackdown

The temporary visa appointment changes are part of a wider tightening of US immigration policy under Trump.

The administration has increased scrutiny of visa applicants and pursued measures involving visa and green-card cancellations. The policies have also faced legal challenges, including a recent ruling that struck down an earlier policy suspending immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries.

For now, the State Department says visa services will be adjusted while consular officers undergo the global training programme, leaving applicants facing uncertainty over when their appointments will be rescheduled.