NextFin news, The US State Department on Monday issued a directive to its embassies and consulates globally to refuse most nonimmigrant visa applications from individuals holding Palestinian Authority passports. This policy affects Palestinians residing in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and abroad.
The directive, dated August 18 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, mandates the refusal of visas for categories including students, tourists, business travelers, and those seeking medical treatment. Diplomatic and official visa applicants using Palestinian Authority passports are exempt from this refusal policy.
The State Department justified the move by stating it aims to ensure that visa applications undergo necessary vetting and screening to verify the applicant's identity and eligibility under US law. The department emphasized that every visa decision is a national security decision.
This expanded restriction follows earlier US actions in August 2025, including the suspension of visitor visas for individuals from Gaza and the revocation or denial of visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.
The US does not recognize the Palestinian Authority as a foreign government, although it acknowledges it as a competent authority for issuing passports. The refusal policy does not apply to immigrant visas or to applicants using passports from other countries.
The restrictions come amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and international moves by some countries to recognize a Palestinian state.
Sources for this report include the US State Department cable obtained by CNN, and reports from Reuters, The Guardian, and WENY News, all published on Monday, September 1, 2025.
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