Frustration in China as US freezes green card interviews worldwide, citing ‘training’

Chinese citizens expressed frustration and disbelief as US consulates worldwide halted immigrant visa interviews, signaling a fresh hurdle for those seeking legal entry into the United States. A RedNote post from an unnamed immigration agent detailed that Guangzhou's consulate abruptly cancelled all such interviews on Tuesday, affecting clients scheduled for the following week.

While appointments slated for late September remained intact for now, applicants were urged to monitor emails for updates. The agent highlighted that similar cancellations had occurred in other consulates globally, a situation unprecedented even during major holidays. The US State Department defended the cancellations, attributing them to a "global training initiative" aimed at enhancing the vetting process.

The department clarified that visa appointments would be revised as officers received training to identify applicants at risk of becoming public charges. This latest development added to a series of restrictions under Trump's administration, which began with a freeze on immigrant visas for 75 countries in January due to public charge concerns.

The administration later rescinded that policy but proceeded to cancel visa interviews globally under a guise of "training." Earlier this month, the State Department hinted that certain immigrant visa applicants might be required to post bonds as security, reflecting the administration's stance that a visa represents a privilege rather than an inherent right.

The tightening immigration policies have had tangible impacts, as evidenced by rising refusal rates for B-visa applicants from India and even higher rates for those from Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Educational services firm Shorelight noted that F-1 student visa refusals reached a decade-high of 35 percent in 2025, while H-1B skilled worker petition denials remained low but delayed due to additional vetting and cancelled interviews.