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US suspends most visas for Palestinian passport-holders, reports say

September 1, 2025

The Trump administration has implemented a broad restriction on visitor visas for Palestinians using Palestinian Authority passports, according to media reports citing a diplomatic cable from August 18. This policy expands previous restrictions that affected Gaza residents and Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. While the State Department did not explicitly confirm the new policy, it stated it was taking "concrete steps in compliance with US law and our national security.

Who is affected

  • Palestinians holding Palestinian Authority passports
  • Palestinians from the West Bank and wider Palestinian diaspora
  • Palestinians seeking to visit the US for business, study, or medical treatment
  • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and approximately 80 Palestinian officials denied access to the UN General Assembly
  • Palestinians from Gaza who were already under visa restrictions

What action is being taken

  • US consular officers are being instructed to refuse non-immigrant visas to "all otherwise eligible Palestinian Authority passport holders"
  • The State Department is conducting additional reviews of Palestinian visa applicants, effectively creating a blanket ban
  • The Trump administration is extending previous visa restrictions that had been limited to Gaza residents
  • The US government is revoking and restricting visas for Palestinian Authority passport holders

Why it matters

  • The decision represents a further toughening of the Trump administration's stance on visas for Palestinians
  • It follows decisions by several US allies (UK, Canada, France) to recognize a Palestinian state under certain conditions, while the US has "no plans" to do so
  • The policy change occurs amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with the Trump administration showing strong support for Israel's military campaign
  • It affects Palestinians' ability to travel to the US for various legitimate purposes including medical treatment
  • It prevents Palestinian leadership from attending diplomatic functions at the United Nations

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC