The US Department of State has introduced a significant change to non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications, mandating that applicants must now schedule their interviews “at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.”
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The updated directive, which took effect immediately, was published on September 6, 2025, via the State Department’s official visa portal. It overrides all earlier guidance on designated visa processing locations.
The Department clarified: “Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.”
Designated locations have been outlined for nationals from conflict-affected or diplomatically restricted countries, including Afghanistan (Islamabad), Belarus (Vilnius, Warsaw), Cuba (Georgetown), Iran (Dubai), Russia (Astana, Warsaw), Venezuela (Bogota), and Yemen (Riyadh).
Applicants are also warned of three critical adjustments. First, the State Department stressed that “Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency.”
Secondly, it cautioned that “Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa. Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.”
Lastly, the Department advised that “Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.”
Despite the new rules, existing appointments “will generally not be cancelled,” while diplomatic, NATO, or UN-related visas remain unaffected. Exceptions may also be granted in cases of “humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.”
Applicants have been advised to consult their local embassy or consulate websites for specific requirements and wait times.
According to officials, the measure is aimed at streamlining nonimmigrant visa adjudications while addressing global backlogs and security considerations.
The directive explicitly covers non-immigrant visas and ends a long-standing practice among applicants of seeking interview slots in neighbouring countries.
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