US Embassy Appointments Cancelled Globally for Consular Officer Training
The US Department of State has paused and rescheduled visa interviews across embassies and consulates worldwide to execute a mandatory officer training initiative launched this month. International applicants, foreign workers, and prospective immigrants face sudden appointment cancellations and unexpected processing waits as diplomatic missions adjust interview calendars globally.
State Department offers no timeline for resuming regular interview schedules
Applicants with existing interview slots have received formal cancellation emails informing them that their appointments were cancelled without replacement dates or times provided. The State Department launched the training initiative to enforce stricter, standardized screening rules focused on evaluating whether applicants might become a public charge or depend on federal public benefits under US law. A State Department spokesperson stated that the global training program aims to ensure consular officers are equipped to evaluate every applicant comprehensively and consistently, requiring visa service appointments to be adjusted to accommodate the coursework.
The disruption follows an August 21 federal court ruling that struck down a separate policy suspending immigrant visa issuance for applicants from 75 countries, after a US judge determined Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his statutory authority.
