Overview
- The State Department paused immigrant‑visa appointment scheduling on Thursday so consular officers can receive additional training on screening applicants for potential dependence on U.S. public benefits.
- Officials say the training specifically focuses on how to assess whether an immigrant applicant might become dependent on public assistance after arrival in the United States.
- Applicants can still file immigrant visa applications but many cannot request interview dates now, and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul canceled interviews set for Aug. 25–31 and said it will reschedule affected applicants.
- Visa agents in high‑demand markets such as the UAE reported very limited live appointment availability, with some B1/B2 slots visible only in August 2027, and warned a surge for openings could follow when scheduling resumes.
- The pause follows a Manhattan federal judge’s Aug. 21 ruling that struck down a prior policy limiting immigrant visas and leaves unresolved questions about the training timeline, possible litigation, and near‑term harm to students and business travellers with time‑sensitive plans.