The U.S. Embassy in Korea has suspended immigrant visa interviews scheduled through Aug. 31. The schedule could change further after that.
According to a compilation of reporting by ChosunBiz on the 27th, the U.S. Embassy in Korea suspended immigrant visa interviews reserved from the 25th to the 31st and notified applicants of the move. The suspension is known to run through the 31st for now, but it could be extended.
The U.S. Embassy in Korea is expected to notify applicants of new interview dates. However, applicants said they have not yet been given specific dates.
Interviews for nonimmigrant visa applicants such as short-term business travel (B-1), students (F-1), and temporary workers (H-1B) are proceeding as scheduled. However, there is growing concern that screening for nonimmigrant visas could also be tightened at any time.
On online communities, posts such as "I have a short business trip scheduled and I'm worried there might be visa issues" and "They say this has nothing to do with U.S. tourism—Is that correct?" have been posted one after another.
The U.S. Embassy in Korea said, "We have nothing further to add regarding the visa suspension."
Earlier, the U.S. State Department began training to strengthen visa screening at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide and said interview schedules would be adjusted across the board.
According to the State Department, the training is intended to filter out applicants deemed likely to rely on U.S. public benefits. The department did not mention specific schedules or content of the visa screening training.
With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, some interpret the Donald Trump administration's tougher immigration enforcement as an effort to rally its base. Foreign media also reported that after a federal court on the 21st invalidated the Trump administration's measure banning immigrant applications from 75 countries, the administration moved to take additional steps.