India, Aug. 26 -- The Donald Trump administration has temporarily paused visa appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide as the State Department launches a new training program for consular officers, creating fresh uncertainty for applicants waiting to enter the country.

The immediate impact is being felt most sharply by immigrant visa applicants, whose interviews are being postponed while officers undergo training on how to assess whether applicants could become dependent on US public benefits. The State Department has not given a firm date for when normal scheduling will resume.

The latest move is primarily aimed at immigrant visa processing, meaning people seeking permanent residence through consular processing outside the...