U.S. State Department Halts All Immigrant Visas Worldwide

The U.S. State Department has paused processing immigrant visa applications across all its embassies and consulates worldwide, according to the Financial Times. The move, which takes effect immediately, affects individuals seeking permanent residency in the United States. This suspension applies to family-based and employment-based immigrant visas, which are the primary routes for foreigners to live and work in the U.S. permanently. The department has not yet provided a specific reason for the global halt, nor has it announced a timeline for when processing will resume. The pause does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as tourist or student visas, which remain operational. However, applicants with pending immigrant visa cases should expect significant delays, as no new interviews or adjudications will be scheduled during this period. The decision marks a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, impacting thousands of applicants worldwide who were already in the final stages of the visa process. The State Department has yet to issue an official public statement beyond the report from the Financial Times.