Updated on September 3, 2026
The past few weeks have brought important changes for individuals completing their immigration processes to the United States through U.S. embassies and consulates.
Two different situations occurred in succession—and the close timing between them has caused significant confusion.
First, a court ruling struck down the policy that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries.
A few days later, immigrant visa interviews began to be canceled or rescheduled at various consular posts around the world during a new operational pause.
These are distinct measures.
Understanding this difference is important to know what has actually changed and how each process may be affected.
Situation as of September 3, 2026
Suspension related to the 75 countries: ended since August 21
Immigrant visa interviews: still subject to cancellations and rescheduling
Scope of the operational pause: global
Reported reason: training of consular officers on public charge assessments
General resumption date: not yet announced
Nonimmigrant visas: there is no indication that they are part of this specific pause
Adjustment of Status in the United States: not subject to the consular interview pause
The 75-Country Suspension Has Ended
In January 2026, the Department of State adopted a policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries.
The list included countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Europe, and other regions—including Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Uruguay, and several other nationalities.
On August 21, 2026, in the lawsuit Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. et al. v. Rubio et al., a federal court struck down this policy.
The Department of State subsequently officially confirmed that, as of August 21, the 75-country suspension is no longer in effect.
This is significant because that policy was directly based on the applicant’s nationality.
However, the end of this restriction did not mean an immediate return to normal for all consular processing.
So Why Do Interviews Continue to Be Canceled?
This is a second situation.
Immigrant visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates are being temporarily canceled or postponed during a global operational pause.
According to reported information regarding the measure, the Department of State is conducting training for consular officers related to public charge assessments.
As of September 3, no official duration for this pause or general date for the resumption of all interviews had been announced.
Applicants who had scheduled interviews began receiving communications informing them that their appointments would be rescheduled.
Therefore, the current situation can be summarized as follows:
the restriction based on the 75 nationalities has ended, but immigrant visa interviews have not yet completely returned to normal.
Who May Be Affected?
The issue is especially relevant for individuals completing their permanent residency through consular processing, meaning from outside the United States.
Depending on the case, this may involve processes based on:
- employment;
- family;
- investment;
- immigration preference categories;
- other classifications that use an immigrant visa for entry into the United States as a permanent resident.
The main point is no longer the nationality included on the old list of 75 countries.
The current operational pause has been reported as a global measure related to immigrant visa interviews.
Is My I-130 or I-140 Also Blocked?
Not necessarily.
An I-130 or I-140 petition is typically processed by USCIS, while the immigrant visa interview abroad occurs later as part of consular processing.
These are different stages.
Similarly, cases that are still at the National Visa Center (NVC) can continue going through administrative steps prior to the interview.
Available information indicates that pre-interview processing should continue, unless specific guidance states otherwise.
Therefore, receiving news that interviews are temporarily paused does not automatically mean that all stages of the process are also halted.
And What About Those Doing Adjustment of Status?
For eligible individuals who are in the United States and are processing their permanent residency through Adjustment of Status, typically via Form I-485, the situation is different.
This process is administered by USCIS and does not rely on an immigrant visa interview conducted at an embassy or consulate abroad.
To date, there is no general pause in Adjustment of Status adjudications resulting from this consular pause.
This does not mean that other rules or administrative changes cannot affect USCIS cases.
It simply means they are different systems and should not be confused.
And Temporary Visas?
The currently reported pause is related to immigrant visas.
Visas such as B-1/B-2, F-1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, and E-2 are nonimmigrant categories, and there is no indication at this time that they are included in this same operational pause.
This does not prevent a specific embassy or consulate from having schedule changes or other policies from affecting certain categories.
What Is Public Charge?
The concept of public charge has been part of U.S. immigration law for many years.
In certain situations, authorities must evaluate whether an applicant could be deemed inadmissible based on the likelihood of becoming a public charge in the United States.
This analysis considers the applicant’s circumstances as a whole and may involve factors such as age, health, family situation, financial resources, education, and skills.
The Department of State also recently implemented procedures that allow, in certain situations, the use of Public Charge Bonds for some immigrant visa applicants.
For this reason, public charge should not be understood as a simple rule based on a single financial detail or the receipt of a specific benefit.
The assessment depends on the applicable rules and the specific circumstances of each case.
My Interview Was Canceled. Does This Mean There Is a Problem with My Case?
Not necessarily.
A cancellation or rescheduling resulting from this operational pause does not, by itself, mean that the visa was refused or that there is a specific problem with the case.
Anyone who has received this type of communication should save the message and closely follow the instructions of the responsible consular post.
While waiting, it is generally prudent to continue monitoring:
- the email address used for the process;
- communications from the embassy or consulate;
- messages from the NVC, when applicable;
- the validity of documents that may be required later;
- new official guidelines regarding rescheduling.
It is also important to avoid purchasing tickets or assuming that a scheduled interview will take place without an updated confirmation from the consulate.
Attention: Diversity Visa Has Its Own Guidelines
Applicants of the Diversity Visa (DV) program need to observe a separate rule.
On August 31, the Department of State published new guidance suspending once again the issuance of Diversity Visas, although interviews can continue to be conducted and scheduled.
Therefore, DV applicants should not assume that the general rules described in this article fully represent the situation for their category.
Can the Situation Still Change?
Yes.
The lawsuit that struck down the 75-country policy still has pending matters, and immigration policies can change through new court decisions, regulations, or administrative measures.
The court decision itself set new procedural steps for September.
Therefore, it is always important to distinguish between:
a court decision;
an administrative policy;
an operational pause;
a regulatory change;
and an individual decision on a specific application.
They can produce very different effects.
What Meridian Global Mobility Is Monitoring
Meridian Global Mobility monitors updates that may interfere with the planning and execution of mobility projects to the United States.
At this moment, key points of focus include:
- the resumption of immigrant visa consular interviews;
- new announcements from the Department of State;
- changes related to the application of public charge;
- USCIS and National Visa Center procedures;
- court decisions with a potential impact on pending cases;
- changes to deadlines and documentary requirements.
When a change affects a project monitored by MGM, the team can evaluate its administrative and operational impacts within the scope of our services.
When there is a need for legal analysis, migration strategy definition, or representation, these activities are conducted by duly qualified partner attorneys.
Have a Pending Case?
In an immigration environment subject to frequent changes, knowing your case category is only part of the necessary organization.
It is also important to understand what stage it is in, which agency is currently responsible, and whether a specific change actually affects that case.
Meridian Global Mobility assists in the structuring, organization, and monitoring of international mobility projects.
Request an initial consultation
Important Notice
This content is for informational purposes only and considers the information available as of September 3, 2026. It does not constitute legal advice, nor does it determine eligibility or immigration strategy.
When services require legal analysis, guidance, or representation, these activities are conducted by duly qualified partner attorneys, depending on the scope of each case.