The U.S. Department of State has announced a major policy change regarding nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications, including visitor visas, effective immediately. The new rule states that most nonimmigrant visa applicants must now schedule their interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. This directive marks a significant shift from previous policies that allowed for greater flexibility in choosing an interview location.
The new visa update specifies that “Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.” The policy also addresses nationals of countries where the U.S. government does not conduct routine nonimmigrant visa operations, directing them to apply at a designated embassy or consulate unless their residence is elsewhere.
This change is expected to have a notable impact on applicants who previously sought interviews in “third countries” to avoid long wait times at home. The Department of State has explicitly warned that those who schedule appointments outside of their country of nationality or residence may find it “more difficult to qualify for the visa.”
The department further cautions, “Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency…Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.” This underscores the risk and potential financial loss for those who do not adhere to the new guidance.
While existing appointments are generally not affected, the new policy could lead to increased wait times for some applicants. The Department of State has stated that those applying outside their home country should expect to wait “significantly longer” for an appointment.
The new rule does include exceptions for certain visa categories, such as those for diplomats and government officials (A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas), and those for travel covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement. Rare exceptions may also be granted for humanitarian or medical emergencies or for foreign policy reasons. All nonimmigrant visa applicants are advised to consult the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate for the most current information on application requirements and procedures.
On August 28, the U.S. Department of State announced a similar rule for immigrant visas. This new policy, effective November 1, 2025, will require all immigrant visa applicants to be interviewed in their country of residence. Under the new rule, the National Visa Center (NVC) will schedule all immigrant visa interviews at the consular post in the applicant’s country of residence. Applicants can also request to be interviewed in their country of nationality.
The core of this new policy is the requirement for applicants to interview in the country where they live. This policy will apply to all new immigrant visa cases. For applicants residing in countries where U.S. embassy or consulate operations are suspended or paused, interviews will be directed to specific designated alternate processing posts.
The Department of State’s website states: “Effective November 1, 2025, all immigrant visa applicants will be scheduled for their interview in the consular district designated for their country of residence or, alternatively, may apply in their country of nationality if requested, with limited exceptions. Residents of countries where routine visa operations are suspended or paused should apply at a designated alternate processing post, unless the applicant is a national of another country with ongoing operations.”
As with nonimmigrant visas, rare exceptions to this policy may be granted for humanitarian or medical emergencies or for foreign policy reasons. Immigrant visa appointments already scheduled before November 1, 2025, will generally not be affected, canceled, or rescheduled.
According to the Department of State, if an applicant wants to transfer their immigrant visa case to a new consular district after the NVC has scheduled the appointment, they should contact the NVC immediately using its Public Inquiry Form. The NVC may request additional information to confirm the new location is the applicant’s place of residence or to determine if an exception is appropriate. These new requirements will also apply to applicants in the DV-2026 Diversity Visa program.
This new policy supersedes all previous guidance regarding where immigrant visa interviews may be held. The Department of State encourages all applicants to review the specific requirements and operating statuses of their assigned embassy or consulate on its website.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
