09/15/2026
Hello Followers:
Recent reports indicate that the State Department has paused immigrant visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. If you or a family member has a pending immigrant visa case, here is what we know so far.
The pause reportedly began in late August 2026 while consular officers undergo additional training focused on public charge screening. Many applicants with scheduled interviews have received notices that their appointments were cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Public charge is a ground of inadmissibility that considers whether an applicant is likely at any time to become a public charge based on the totality of the circumstances. Factors can include the applicant's age, health, family status, assets, resources and financial status, and education and skills, along with an Affidavit of Support when one is required.
A few important points to know:
The reported pause concerns immigrant visas, generally meaning people completing the process of becoming permanent residents through consular processing outside the United States. This includes many family-based and employment-based immigrant visa cases.
Nonimmigrant visas, such as visitor, student, and temporary work visas, have not been described as part of this worldwide action. However, some U.S. embassies and consulates may have separate suspensions or limitations affecting visa services.
A scheduling pause does not, by itself, cancel an approved immigrant petition or a case pending with the National Visa Center. Case-specific requirements and deadlines may still apply. Affected appointments may be rescheduled, but the State Department has not announced a firm date for immigrant visa scheduling to broadly return to normal, and timing may vary from one consulate to another.
This worldwide interview pause is also separate from the earlier policy that paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries. Following a federal court order, that separate pause has not been in effect since August 21, 2026.
If you are already inside the United States and applying for permanent residence through Adjustment of Status with USCIS, the reported consular interview pause does not directly affect your USCIS case.
This remains an evolving situation, and procedures may differ from one embassy or consulate to another. Anyone with a pending immigrant visa case should closely monitor their email and the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate handling their case for updates or rescheduling notices.
If you have questions about consular processing or the public charge ground of inadmissibility, you are welcome to request a consultation.
