US pauses all immigrant visa appointments globally amid H-1B row, crackdown: Report | World News - Hindustan Times

**U.S. State Department Suspends All Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide**

The U.S. Department of State announced on Thursday a temporary suspension of all immigrant‑visa appointment scheduling for applicants around the globe. The halt, which took effect immediately, applies to all categories of immigrant visas—including family‑reunion, employment‑based, and diversity‑lottery visas—but does not affect non‑immigrant visas such as tourist, student, or business visas. In a brief statement, the department said the pause is “necessary to conduct system‑wide training and to ensure the integrity of visa processing data,” adding that it will reassess the situation in the coming weeks.

The decision comes amid growing scrutiny of the H‑1B specialty‑worker program, which has been a flashpoint in U.S. immigration policy debates. Officials have not publicly linked the suspension to any specific legislative action, but multiple media outlets—including *The Guardian* and *Reuters*—have reported that the move is part of a broader crackdown aimed at curbing perceived abuses and fraud in high‑skill visa categories. The timing coincides with congressional discussions on tightening eligibility criteria for H‑1B visas and increasing enforcement of employer compliance, fueling speculation that the pause may be a pre‑emptive step ahead of forthcoming policy changes.

The abrupt cancellation of appointments has sparked anxiety among thousands of prospective immigrants, many of whom have already paid fees and submitted extensive documentation. Advocacy groups warned that the suspension could delay family reunifications and the onboarding of skilled workers needed in sectors such as technology and healthcare. While the State Department emphasized that the pause is temporary and that existing visa petitions will continue to be adjudicated, it did not provide a definitive timeline for when normal scheduling will resume. Applicants are advised to monitor the department’s website for updates and to keep their supporting documents current in case of further procedural shifts.