Correction: US Immigrant Visa Interviews Continue

We previously reported that the State Department had paused all immigrant visa interviews worldwide on August 25, 2026 for public charge training. We cannot substantiate a blanket worldwide freeze or the claimed cancellation of all scheduled interviews. The State Department’s current IV Scheduling Status Tool explains that the National Visa Center (NVC) continues to schedule eligible immigrant visa interviews at US embassies and consulates. Its data is updated monthly.

The separate 75-country immigrant visa issuance pause ended under an August 21 court order, according to the State Department’s August 28 update. Other nationality or visa-category restrictions may still apply.

NVC normally schedules a case after it is documentarily complete and, for family and employment preference categories, after a visa number becomes available under the Visa Bulletin. An embassy or consulate gives NVC available dates. The State Department cautions that the tool is an estimate, not a guaranteed appointment.

The tool excludes Diversity Visas and certain other case types. The Diversity Visa issuance guidance says DV interviews can continue while DV issuance is paused. An individual post may have limited services, so check its own operating status.

1. Check your case status in the State Department’s CEAC system and any messages from NVC or your consulate.
2. Use the IV Scheduling Status Tool to see the documentarily complete month being scheduled at your post. It does not predict your exact interview date.
3. Check the Visa Bulletin if you are in a family or employment preference category. NVC cannot schedule the interview before a visa number is available.
4. Check your consulate’s operating status and any visa issuance restriction that applies to your nationality or category.
5. Keep documents current and follow any case-specific scheduling instructions. If your own appointment was cancelled, ask the post or NVC about that case.