Key Facts
• On August 18, the U.S. State Department issued a directive to embassies.
• Non-immigrant visas for Palestinian Authority passport holders are now denied.
• Affected individuals include residents of the West Bank, Gaza, and other regions.
• Non-immigrant visas cover study, research, tourism, business, and medical purposes.
• Diplomatic and official visas for Palestinian Authority passports are also denied.
• Immigrant visa applications or use of non-PA passports are not affected.
• The U.S. does not recognize the Palestinian Authority as a foreign government.
• On August 16, short-term visas for Gaza residents were temporarily suspended.
• On August 29, visas for Palestinian officials, including Mahmoud Abbas, were revoked.
• The policy aligns with prior measures under the Trump administration.
Summary
The U.S. State Department has instructed embassies and consulates to deny non-immigrant visa applications from holders of Palestinian Authority passports. This policy, effective immediately as of August 18, applies to Palestinians residing in the West Bank, Gaza, and other regions. Non-immigrant visas, including those for study, tourism, and business, are affected, as well as diplomatic and official visas. However, immigrant visa applications and non-PA passport holders are exempt. The U.S. cites its non-recognition of the Palestinian Authority as a foreign government as the reason for this decision. Recent actions also include the suspension of short-term visas for Gaza residents and the revocation of visas for Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas. These measures reflect a continuation of restrictive policies from the Trump administration.
