United States halts overseas green card interviews for public charge training

United States embassies and consulates worldwide paused immigrant visa interviews on Aug. 25 while consular staff complete mandatory screening training.

Global training halts overseas green card interviews

The U.S. Department of State directed all overseas posts to adjust appointment calendars so consular officers can complete expanded training on public charge inadmissibility under INA § 212(a)(4). The initiative aims to standardize how officers assess whether an applicant is likely to become dependent on government assistance, a department spokesperson confirmed.

The State Department hasn't released a formal public timeline or set an end date for the pause, Reuters reported. Applicants with existing interview dates are receiving postponement notices, with rescheduled slots to be assigned once training concludes.

Categorizing who faces delays

The suspension applies exclusively to overseas immigrant visa processing. Consular officers have temporarily stopped interview appointments across several key streams:

• Family-based immigrant visas (immediate relative and preference categories)

• Employment-based immigrant visas (EB-1 through EB-5 petitions)

• Diversity Visa lottery selectees awaiting final consular processing

• Returning resident (SB-1) and adoption-related immigrant visas

Temporary nonimmigrant categories remain active. Travelers applying for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F-1 student visas or temporary employment authorizations like H-1B and L-1 visas are excluded from the training freeze. Domestic green card filings handled stateside by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also continue without disruption.

Preparing for stricter financial reviews

Applicants facing postponed interviews should anticipate heightened financial scrutiny once embassy calendars reopen. Because the curriculum centers on self-sufficiency standards, consular officers will inspect Affidavit of Support forms, sponsor tax returns and liquid asset records more rigorously.

Remote workers and foreign nationals planning on immigrating to the United States should review sponsor income thresholds and gather supplementary financial proof immediately. Diversity Visa selectees carry the highest operational risk, as statutory deadlines require visa issuance before annual allocations expire at the close of the fiscal year.