US pauses visa appointments worldwide amid Trump's immigration crackdown

The US has paused visa appointments worldwide amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The State Department cited a global training initiative at US embassies and consulates, requiring visa appointments to be adjusted.

In Short

• State Department cites global training initiative across embassies and consulates
• Says visa service appointments to be adjusted to accommodate training
• Applicants with scheduled interviews told of cancellations, new dates to follow

The US has paused visa appointments for applicants worldwide as President Donald Trump steps up his immigration crackdown during his second term in the White House, Reuters reported on Tuesday (local time).

A US State Department spokesperson said the department had launched a global training initiative at all US embassies and consulates worldwide. Visa service appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training, the spokesperson said.

Applicants with interviews already scheduled were emailed that their appointments had been cancelled and that they would be informed of a new date and time, The Financial Times reported.

The State Department did not provide details about the training or how long it would last, saying only that it was aimed at helping consular officers screen out applicants deemed likely to become dependent on US public benefits and ensure visa applications are evaluated “comprehensively and consistently.”

PAUSE COMES AMID SCRUTINY ON H-1B VISAS, OTHER CATEGORIES

The pause in visa appointments came amid a broader tightening of US immigration rules under the Trump administration.

Washington is preparing to revoke the B1 and B2 business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the US, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two US officials. If carried out, the move would be the largest single mass visa revocation in US history.

The proposed revocations would target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who have sought asylum, with the State Department coordinating the move with the Department of Homeland Security. The revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, with people whose asylum cases are pending potentially being recategorised while losing their business or tourism status.

Separately, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional USD 103,265 fee (around Rs 99 lakh) for H-1B cap-subject applications, on top of existing fees. The proposal could significantly increase the cost for US companies hiring foreign skilled workers and disproportionately affect Indian professionals, who make up a large share of H-1B beneficiaries.

The proposed H-1B fee would apply to cap-subject petitions, including those under the advanced degree exemption, but not to certain cap-exempt petitions filed by universities, research organisations and government research bodies. The DHS has invited public comments on the proposal for 30 days before deciding whether to issue a final rule.

Trump has said his immigration crackdown is aimed at improving domestic security. However, his policies have faced legal challenges and criticism from human rights groups, which have accused the administration of discriminatory practices and violations of free speech and due process rights.

While Trump campaigned in 2024 on a promise to curb illegal immigration, his administration has also made legal immigration more difficult through measures including tighter visa screening, increased fees and restrictions affecting foreign workers and other visa applicants.

But, in an earlier setback for the Trump administration, a US judge on August 21 struck down a policy that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that it exceeded Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statutory authority.

- Ends
(with inputs from Reuters)