Temporary suspension of immigrant visa interviews in the US

According to information relayed by Özlem Özgüt Yörekli, New York correspondent for ABDPost.com, ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı is providing comprehensive training to visa officers stationed at embassies and consulates worldwide on the 'public charge' rule.

It was stated that the training aims to more rigorously assess the likelihood that those wishing to settle permanently in ABD may become dependent on state assistance and impose a fiscal burden on the public in the future.

During this process, interview dates for applicants whose immigrant visa applications are at the consular stage may be delayed. Interviews for applicants who already had an appointment date set may also be postponed and rescheduled.

Those awaiting a Green Card under family sponsorship and certain employer sponsorship, as well as applicants processing immigrant visas from Türkiye, may also be affected by the development.

B1/B2 and F1 visas are outside the scope.

Yörekli noted that nonimmigrant visa categories such as tourist, student, and temporary work visas are not affected by this measure. B1/B2 tourist and F1 student visas fall outside this scope.

Applicants were urged to regularly monitor the emails that will be sent from the consulates.

The decision, coming shortly after a federal court struck down the Trump administration's restriction on immigrant visas to 75 countries, also drew attention.

Meanwhile, interview problems caused by the 'DV PAUSE' continued for DV-2026 winners, and it was noted that the DV-2027 lottery had not been held. The legal deadline for DV-2026 processing is September 30, 2026.

It was reported that the U.S. Department of State has yet to announce a date when immigrant visa interviews will return to normal.