US Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments for Consular Training

The United States has temporarily suspended immigrant visa interviews at its embassies and consulates worldwide, a move that affects individuals seeking permanent residency, including Peruvian citizens. The pause primarily impacts those applying for immigrant visas through family ties or specific employment pathways, though it does not signify a definitive cancellation of ongoing processes.

According to official statements, the suspension is due to a global training initiative for consular officers focused on the application of public charge rules. During this period, immigrant visa interviews will be rescheduled, and a general resumption date has not yet been confirmed. However, the measure explicitly excludes non-immigrant visas, such as the B1/B2 visas commonly used for business and tourism.

Peruvian citizens who had already scheduled interviews for immigrant visas will not automatically lose their applications. U.S. diplomatic missions have informed affected applicants that their appointments will be rescheduled while the temporary suspension remains in effect. The U.S. government has not announced a definitive date for restarting these services globally, prompting those with open procedures to monitor communications from their respective embassies or consulates.

It is important to note that the postponement of an interview should not be mistaken for a rejection of an application, as the pause is administrative and temporary. The suspension specifically applies to immigrant visas intended for those seeking to establish permanent residence in the United States. The widely used B1/B2 visas for temporary travel for business and tourism fall under the non-immigrant category and are not included in this pause.