Medical Exams, Police Certificates, and Visa Interview Pause: What Expats Need to Know

During the visa interview pause, applicants should keep Medical Exams and Police Certificates current, because delayed interviews can force renewals before a case is issued. Some people are already seeing cancellations. The clock keeps moving.

For immigrant visa cases, a police certificate is usually good for two years from issuance. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw says a newer one is needed if the applicant is older than 16, got the certificate more than two years ago, and still lives in the issuing country. Dates matter here.

If the certificate will still be valid on interview day, it can usually be used. If it will expire first, the updated version should go to the interview, not ahead of time. Compare both dates.

Medical exams carry the same risk, but the fix is harsher. A delayed interview can push the exam past visa issuance, which means another exam with an authorized panel physician. Another appointment.

A federal judge in Sayani v. Rubio on August 7, 2026 granted a preliminary injunction in the Northern District of California. The order barred the State Department from applying the nationality-based immigrant visa pause to the plaintiffs, and it also covered medical examinations and supporting civil documents that expired because of the freeze. The bills can repeat.

The department tied the pause to training

U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide were told in late August 2026 to reschedule immigrant visa interviews while consular officers completed mandatory public-charge training. The notices hit inboxes fast. Emails went out.

The State Department described the training this way:

"in early August, we launched a global training initiative at all our embassies and consulates worldwide. To accommodate this in-depth training, appointments for visa services will be adjusted."

It also tied the shift to public-charge screening:

"A more prosperous American means ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge, as defined under U.S. law and regulation, and not likely to become dependent on U.S. public benefits reserved for qualified Americans in need."

On August 25-26, applicants with scheduled interviews were being notified by email that appointments were canceled or postponed. The disruption was immediate. Plans changed.

The dates on each document decide the answer

Track each item against the rescheduled interview date. Start there.

1. Note the issue date on every police certificate. Short gaps can matter.
2. Note the exam date on every medical. That date can fall first.
3. If a certificate will expire first, bring the updated version to the interview.

The broader policy affected nationals of 75 listed countries after a January 2026 announcement. An August 18, 2026 policy alert said the pause remained active and pointed to a September 18, 2026 transition tied to the public-charge rule. That date is still ahead.