Trump administration pauses US visa appointments worldwide

WASHINGTON: People seeking to move to the United States are facing fresh uncertainty after the Trump administration paused or rescheduled visa appointments worldwide as US consular officers undergo a new training programme focused on tighter screening of applicants.

The US State Department said Tuesday that it had launched a global training initiative across American embassies and consulates. Visa service appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training, although officials did not provide a specific timeline for when normal scheduling would resume.

The move has affected immigrant visa applicants who had already secured interviews. According to a report by the Financial Times, some applicants received emails informing them that their scheduled interviews had been postponed and that they would be notified later about replacement dates.

The State Department said the training is intended to help consular officers evaluate applicants “comprehensively and consistently” and identify people considered likely to become dependent on US public benefits. The initiative comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues a broad effort to tighten immigration controls during his second term.

Trump has made immigration enforcement a central policy priority, overseeing an aggressive deportation campaign and measures targeting both undocumented and legal migrants. His administration has also moved to revoke visas and green cards and increase scrutiny of visa applications.

The latest pause follows a series of legal and political battles over the administration’s immigration policies. A federal judge recently struck down a policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, ruling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his legal authority.

The ruling represented another judicial setback for the administration as it seeks to expand restrictions on immigration.

Human rights organisations have criticised the broader crackdown, arguing that some measures risk discrimination and could infringe on free speech and due-process protections. Rights advocates have also raised concerns about racial profiling and the impact of stricter immigration enforcement on ethnic minorities.

The administration, however, maintains that stronger screening is necessary to protect US national security and ensure that immigration rules are properly enforced.

While Trump campaigned in 2024 on a promise to curb illegal immigration, the administration’s policies have increasingly affected legal immigration as well. New restrictions and higher fees for some work visa applicants have added to concerns among foreign workers, families and businesses.

For applicants whose interviews have been postponed, the immediate concern is uncertainty. The State Department has not said how long the training will take or when affected appointments will be restored.

The worldwide pause therefore marks another significant change in the US immigration system, leaving thousands of prospective migrants waiting for clarity as Washington presses ahead with its tougher screening approach.