WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. State Department has issued new guidance to its diplomatic missions, instructing them to refuse most visa applications from individuals holding Palestinian Authority passports, according to reports from multiple news organizations. The directive, which came into effect in July, outlines specific and limited circumstances under which such visas may be granted.
The new instructions state that U.S. embassies and consulates should only issue visas to Palestinian passport holders in “rare and unusual circumstances” or when the applicant demonstrates an urgent humanitarian need, a senior U.S. official told Reuters. This marks a notable shift in how the U.S. handles travel documentation for Palestinians seeking to enter the United States. Previously, individuals with Palestinian Authority passports could apply for U.S. visas under a more general framework.
According to a report by The Associated Press, the new guidance reiterates the U.S. position that it does not recognize a Palestinian state. Therefore, a passport issued by the Palestinian Authority is not considered a national passport for the purposes of visa issuance. Instead, Palestinian applicants may be asked to present other forms of identification, or their applications will be processed under specific categories for non-national travelers.
The move has drawn attention from international bodies and human rights organizations, though the U.S. State Department has not issued a public statement directly announcing the policy change. A spokesperson for the State Department, when questioned by CNN, referred to existing U.S. policy regarding statehood, stating that the U.S. “does not recognize Palestine as a sovereign state.” This position informs the handling of travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
This policy change follows broader discussions within U.S. foreign policy circles regarding the status of Palestinian representation and statehood, particularly in the context of ongoing efforts to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
