US temporary halt approval of visas for all Palestinian passport holders from Gaza

2025-09-01 09:38:13

(MENAFN) The United States has temporarily suspended approval for nearly all visitor visa categories for Palestinians holding Gaza passports, according to The New York Times.

A State Department cable sent to US diplomatic missions worldwide on August 18 outlines the new restrictions, which will also prevent many Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and diaspora communities from obtaining non-immigrant visas, four American sources told the newspaper.

The restrictions affect visas for medical treatment, university studies, family visits, and business travel, at least temporarily. The suspension follows Friday’s revocation of visas for Palestinian officials, preventing them from attending September’s United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The move comes amid announcements from France, the UK, Canada, and Australia that they plan to recognize Palestinian statehood at the upcoming General Assembly, joining 147 countries that have already recognized Palestine.

Earlier, the State Department imposed sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority on July 31, barring their members from receiving US visas. At the same time, Washington has lifted sanctions on Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians.

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