The Trump administration has directed American consular posts worldwide to halt approvals of nearly all visitor visas for holders of Palestinian passports, a policy that took effect August 31, 2025, and expands recent restrictions targeting Palestinian travel to the United States.
The State Department confirmed on Sunday that U.S. embassies and consulates have been ordered to apply Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny nonimmigrant visa applications submitted with Palestinian Authority passports. The measure, outlined in an August 18 cable to all diplomatic posts, suspends approvals for medical travel, higher education, family visits, and business trips for Palestinians relying solely on those documents.
The restrictions do not apply to Palestinians holding dual citizenship with other passports, or to those who already received valid visas. Palestinian passports were first issued in the 1990s under interim agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
The new order comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed last week that the U.S. would deny and revoke visas for senior Palestinian leaders planning to attend the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Rubio stated the decision was taken “in accordance with U.S. law” to hold the Palestinian Authority and the PLO accountable for pursuing unilateral recognition of statehood and for “undermining the prospects for peace.” (Read More)