U.S. temporarily pauses immigrant visa appointments worldwide

The U.S. State Department has temporarily paused immigrant visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide while consular officers undergo training on updated criteria for evaluating applicants, including whether they could become a public charge.

The measure is already affecting some scheduled interviews. Applicants whose appointments are changed will be contacted directly by the embassy or consulate handling their cases and given a new date. The State Department has not announced when normal scheduling will resume.

The pause applies specifically to immigrant visas, which are intended for people seeking permanent residence in the United States, including family- and employment-based categories. It does not affect nonimmigrant visas used for tourism, business or study.

Applicants affected by the temporary pause in U.S. immigrant visa appointments should closely monitor the email address used in their applications, including spam and junk folders, for notifications from the embassy or consulate handling their cases. They should also regularly check their case status through the State Department’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC).

Applicants in the Dominican Republic should follow instructions from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo and ensure that all required documents remain valid while waiting for a new interview date.