Asian workers and families already facing years-long waits for US visas could be pushed deeper into uncertainty by a global pause on immigrant visa appointments, as President Donald Trump’s administration tightens legal immigration through new screening and higher costs, experts warn.

The US State Department on Tuesday said it had launched a global training initiative for consular officers at all US embassies and consulates, and that immigrant visa appointments would be adjusted to accommodate it.

The department did not specify the scope or duration of the training, beyond saying it was intended to help officers screen out applicants deemed likely to become dependent on US public benefits and ensure they were evaluated “comprehensively and consistently”.

Immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates have begun receiving notices that their appointments are being rescheduled, with new dates to follow, according to reports.

The disruption has left applicants uncertain not only about when they will be interviewed, but also whether documents tied to existing appointment dates – including police clearances, medical checks and financial records – will need updating.

For Asian applicants, experts say, the impact could be especially acute in countries with large visa pipelines and already crowded consular calendars.

“It’s not clear if this is being handled embassy by embassy or centrally. The Asian countries with the largest number of pending applications will likely be hit the hardest,” said Russell A. Stamets, a partner at the New Delhi-based law firm Circle of Counsels.