US tells diplomats to refuse most visas for Palestinian passport holders
The U.S. State Department has directed its diplomats to deny most nonimmigrant visas to individuals holding Palestinian Authority (PA) passports, regardless of whether they reside in the West Bank, Gaza, or abroad, according to an internal cable obtained by CNN.
The directive, dated August 18 and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs all U.S. embassies and consulates to immediately begin refusing nonimmigrant visa applications from “all otherwise eligible Palestinian Authority passport holders” applying with that document.
Nonimmigrant visas cover a wide range of travel purposes, including tourism, business, academic study, and medical treatment.
This sweeping policy—first reported by The New York Times—is part of a broader set of measures by the Trump administration aimed at restricting the entry of Palestinians into the United States.
Earlier, on August 16, the State Department announced a suspension of all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, citing the need for review. Days later, the department stated it would begin revoking and denying visas for members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority, including PA President Mahmoud Abbas, in the lead-up to the United Nations General Assembly.
The new restrictions come amid heightened global attention to the ongoing war in Gaza and increasing international momentum toward recognizing a Palestinian state.
According to the cable, the decision is intended to ensure that visa applicants undergo proper vetting and meet eligibility requirements under U.S. law.
A State Department spokesperson defended the move, saying: “The Trump administration is taking concrete steps in compliance with U.S. law and our national security in regard to announced visa restrictions and revocations for PA passport holders. Every visa decision is a national security decision.”
The policy does not apply to Palestinians applying for immigrant visas or those using a passport issued by a different country. Diplomatic and official visa applicants traveling on PA passports are still included under the new restrictions.
The cable also clarified that while the U.S. recognizes the Palestinian Authority as a valid passport-issuing entity, it does not consider the PA to be a foreign government.
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