Mass cancellation of nonimmigrant US visa appointments triggers panic; State Department cites training

Thousands of nonimmigrant visa applicants globally are facing uncertainty after U.S. embassies and consulates canceled all appointments until September 1. Applicants for student, work, and tourism visas received emails stating their interviews would be rescheduled only after the specified date, sparking widespread panic. These cancellations occurred sporadically across various countries, not from a single region.

One applicant shared an email stating, "We regret to inform you that your upcoming nonimmigrant visa interview appointment has been cancelled. Your interview cannot be accommodated until after 1 September 2026." The emails also advised applicants to reapply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality, expressing regret for any inconvenience.

“

We regret to inform you that your upcoming nonimmigrant visa interview appointment has been cancelled. Your interview cannot be accommodated until after 1 September 2026. You may apply at the US Embassy/Consulate in your country of nationality. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

The State Department confirmed the cancellations stem from a directive to all embassies and consulates to reschedule visa interviews. This measure is necessary to allow consular offices to complete training sessions on a "more restrictive policy." These training sessions, described as a "global training initiative," began in early August and are scheduled to take place this week. The State Department informed The New York Times that these sessions are intended to train consular officers on implementing the new policy, which reportedly focuses on denying immigrant visas to applicants likely to depend on government aid in the U.S.

While the State Department acknowledged the cancellations are to accommodate "in-depth training," it offered limited specifics regarding the new policy itself. The timing and scale of the cancellations, coupled with the mention of a more restrictive approach, have fueled anxiety among individuals awaiting their visa interviews.

“

In early August, we launched a global training initiative at all of our embassies and consulates worldwide. To accommodate this in-depth training, appointments for visa services will be adjusted.