US Suspends Immigrant Visa Applications Worldwide

The United States has temporarily suspended immigrant visa application processing in all countries, including Bangladesh. The decision was taken to conduct “deep training” for consular officers, Turkish news agency Anadolu reported Wednesday (August 26).

A US State Department official told the Financial Times that the training is aimed at ensuring visa applicants are assessed under US laws and regulations and do not become dependent on government benefits intended for eligible and needy Americans.

The State Department launched a global training program this month to ensure all consular officers are fully prepared to evaluate visa applicants using consistent standards.

The suspension comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues efforts to tighten US immigration policies. These include new restrictions on visas and green cards and moves to limit refugee resettlement.

The State Department has not announced when immigrant visa interviews will resume. Officials said interview schedules would be adjusted to accommodate the intensive training program.

Recently, a US court blocked the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa applications from 75 countries over concerns that applicants could become dependent on public assistance.