US Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing Worldwide for Amid Tightening Restrictions

Washington DC: The Trump administration has paused processing of US immigrant visa applications worldwide as the State Department introduces tighter screening measures aimed at restricting entry for applicants deemed likely to depend on public assistance.

A State Department official was quoted by news agency Reuters that the initiative was introduced across US embassies and consulates in early August. Visa appointments have been rescheduled to allow consular officials to undergo additional training on the updated screening procedures.

Applicants who already had interviews scheduled have reportedly received notifications cancelling their appointments, with new dates and times to be provided later. It remains unclear when the postponed interviews will resume.

The State Department said the training and revised guidance are intended to ensure consular officers assess applicants comprehensively and apply the criteria consistently. Officials have linked the changes to efforts to prevent immigrants from becoming dependent on US public benefits.

The move is part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, which has included additional scrutiny of visa applicants and increased processing requirements. Applicants have also faced reviews of their social media activity.

Immigration advocates have criticised the administration's approach, arguing that immigration laws cannot be used to discriminate against applicants. Legal experts have also warned that the latest pause could create significant disruption for people who have already spent substantial amounts of money and made arrangements to complete the visa process.

The uncertainty over when cancelled appointments will be rescheduled has added to concerns among applicants who had already secured interview dates after navigating the lengthy US immigration process.