U.S. Pauses Visa Appointments Worldwide for Consular Training

The U.S. State Department has paused immigrant-visa appointments worldwide while consular officers undergo new training. Appointments at all embassies and consulates, including U.S. posts serving applicants in Israel, are being adjusted or rescheduled. The department said the training is designed to ensure officers evaluate applicants consistently and identify those likely to rely on public benefits. Applicants with scheduled interviews were told new dates and times would follow. The department gave no date for completing the training or resuming normal service.