Trump administration puts US visa appointments on hold globally: Report
Visa interviews are reportedly being rescheduled as US embassies and consulates conduct global training, while the administration moves to tighten immigration rules
Amid its ongoing effort to tighten immigration rules, the Trump administration has reportedly put all visa applications and appointments globally on hold.
The development came to light in a Financial Times report citing a State Department official who stated that the move is aimed at curbing access to applicants who may depend on US assistance.
Global training
According to a report by Reuters, a State Department spokesperson on Tuesday (August 25) said that the US government has launched global training for all of its embassies and consulates, adding that appointments for visa services would be adjusted to accommodate the training.
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The Financial Times report stated that the Trump administration’s move to pause visa interviews came to light after applicants received emails stating that the appointments were being rescheduled and they would be informed about a new date.
New H-1B fee proposal
The decision to cancel all US visa appointments globally comes a day after the Trump administration proposed a new USD103,265 application fee for the H-1B visa. The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant work visa that allows US companies to hire foreign skilled workers.
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The proposal from the Department of Homeland Security follows Trump's announcement last year that he planned to raise the H-1B visa fee to USD 100,000. The President's proclamation was later halted by a court in June this year.
Trump’s immigration crackdown
Since taking office in 2025, Trump has pursued an aggressive crackdown on immigrants in the country.
The measures have included visa and green card revocations, along with the rejection of applications. Such actions were seen during pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war on Gaza at universities and colleges across the US.
Also Read: US mulls new H-1B, OPT fees, likely to raise costs for foreign students, professionals
Trump also ordered mass deportations, along with raids carried out by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Human rights groups have widely condemned the Trump administration's crackdown, calling it discriminatory and violative of free speech and due process rights.
Rights groups have reportedly said that the crackdown has created an unsafe environment, particularly for ethnic minorities, amid concerns over racial profiling.