U.S. Immigrant Visa Appointments Resume After Worldwide Cancellations
Updated September 11, 2026
There is encouraging news for immigrant visa applicants whose interviews were recently canceled at U.S. embassies and consulates. U.S. immigrant visa appointments resume!
One of our cases in France had an immigrant visa interview scheduled for late August 2026, just as cancellations began affecting applicants worldwide. The interview has now been rescheduled for the middle of September 2026.
This is a positive indication that at least some U.S. consular posts are returning immigrant visa interviews to their calendars.
Why Were Interviews Canceled?
In late August, news organizations reported that the U.S. Department of State had paused or adjusted immigrant visa appointments worldwide. The Department said the disruption was necessary to conduct a global training initiative for consular officers, including training on how to evaluate whether an applicant may become a “public charge” in the United States.
Applicants at numerous embassies and consulates received notices that their interviews were being canceled or rescheduled, often without an immediate replacement date. At the time, the Department of State did not announce a firm date for normal scheduling to resume. Reuters reported on the worldwide appointment pause, while The Washington Post reported that appointments were being adjusted for the training initiative.
The disruption primarily concerned immigrant visa interviews, cases in which an applicant is pursuing permanent residence through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. It was distinct from the ordinary processing of applications to adjust status from within the United States.
Does This Mean Every Embassy Has Resumed Interviews?
Not necessarily.
Immigrant visa scheduling is managed post by post, and appointment availability can vary significantly by embassy, visa category, staffing level, and local workload. A rescheduled interview in France does not establish that every U.S. embassy and consulate has resumed normal operations.
It does, however, provide an encouraging data point: canceled appointments are being placed back on the calendar, and applicants should watch closely for new scheduling notices.
What Affected Applicants Should Do Now That U.S. Immigrant Visa Appointments Resume
If your immigrant visa interview was canceled or postponed:
Monitor your email, including spam and junk folders, for messages from the embassy, consulate, or National Visa Center.
Check the online appointment portal associated with your case.
Do not create a new appointment or cancel an existing one unless instructed to do so.
Confirm that your medical examination, police certificates, passport, and other time-sensitive documents will remain valid on the new interview date.
Be prepared for closer questions concerning finances, employment, health insurance, sponsorship, and potential reliance on public benefits.
Avoid making nonrefundable travel arrangements until the replacement appointment is formally confirmed.
The Bottom Line
Immigrant visa interviews appear to be restarting after the recent worldwide disruption. Our France case, rescheduled from August to September, is an encouraging sign that at least some canceled appointments are now moving forward.
The situation is still developing, and applicants should not assume that every consular post is following the same timetable. We will continue monitoring appointment activity and official announcements as additional information becomes available.
Disclaimer: This post is attorney advertising. It is meant as general information only, and is not legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. We suggest you set up a consultation with us before acting on anything you read here. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; every case is unique and must be analyzed individually.
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