A US State Department official confirmed the pause on Tuesday, saying the measure was introduced at US diplomatic missions in early August. Visa appointments were adjusted to allow consular officers to undergo “in-depth training” aimed at strengthening applicant assessments.

The department said it had been developing updated guidance and training since earlier this year “to ensure all consular officers are fully equipped to evaluate every visa applicant comprehensively and consistently.”

Applicants who had already secured interview appointments were reportedly notified by email that their appointments had been cancelled. They will be informed when new dates become available.

The administration says the policy is intended to prevent immigrants from becoming dependent on US public benefits and forms part of broader efforts to restrict both legal and undocumented immigration.

The pause comes amid several other immigration measures. The administration this week announced plans to revoke visas held by some asylum seekers who initially entered the US on tourist or business visas, potentially affecting up to 200,000 people.

The latest restrictions follow an earlier attempt to suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries on similar “public charge” grounds. A federal judge recently overturned that policy.

Immigration advocates have criticised the administration’s approach. Joanna Cuevas Ingram of the National Immigration Law Center said a court had made clear that immigration laws could not be used to justify discrimination.

The timing of the cancelled appointments has yet to be determined, leaving applicants who have spent significant amounts on travel and immigration preparations facing further uncertainty.