Over the past several days, immigrant visa applicants around the world have reported that their long-awaited consular interviews were cancelled or postponed often with little notice and no new date. The cancellations are not isolated to one embassy or one region.
According to reporting by The New York Times on August 24, 2026, the U.S. Department of State instructed embassies and consulates on Monday that they must reschedule visa interviews until consular officers complete training on a more restrictive public charge policy. For most diplomatic posts, that training is expected to take place this week.
“When asked about the pause or postponement of visa interviews worldwide, the State Department said through an official that ‘in early August, we launched a global training initiative at all our embassies and consulates worldwide. To accommodate this in-depth training, appointments for visa services will be adjusted.’”
What the State Department Has and Has Not Said
The Department has confirmed a global training initiative and acknowledged that visa appointments “will be adjusted.” Beyond that, several critical questions remain unanswered:
- No end date has been announced
- No rescheduling timeline has been given
Applicants should expect uncertainty in the short term and should not assume that a cancelled interview will be rescheduled quickly.
Public Charge Changes
We just wrote about the upcoming changes to public charge. These changes will be implemented in September. The Administration has moved toward a broader reading in which reliance on public assistance includes any means-tested non-cash benefits, not just cash aid.
The training now underway at consular posts appears designed to align officers with the new public charge analysis.
What You Should Do Now
-
Check your appointment status directly through the CEAC portal and your post’s scheduling system rather than relying on email alone.
-
Watch your document validity. Medical exams and police certificates have limited validity periods, and a long delay may require you to repeat them.
-
Strengthen your public charge record now. Confirm your sponsor’s income clears the applicable threshold, add a joint sponsor if there is any doubt, and gather documentation of assets, employment history, education, credentials, and private health insurance.
-
Respond immediately if a rescheduled appointment is offered. Slots are likely to be limited when posts resume.
-
Speak to a lawyer if you face a hard deadline, particularly applicants with aging-out children.
What We Are Watching
We are monitoring whether posts resume interviews on the announced timeline, whether the Department issues updated Foreign Affairs Manual guidance reflecting the new training, and whether any official announcements by the Department of State are made.
—
If your immigrant visa interview has been cancelled or postponed, or if you have questions about how the public charge rule may affect your case, please contact me at nmeade@psbplaw.com.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration policy in this area is changing rapidly; please consult an attorney regarding your specific circumstances.
