Applicants Must Now Attend US Visa Interviews in the Country of Nationality or Residence

The United States has introduced new rules requiring most visa applicants to attend interviews in their country of residence or nationality, marking a major change to its consular procedures.

Effective 1 November 2025, the National Visa Center (NVC) will schedule immigrant visa interviews based on where applicants live, or alternatively, their nationality if they request it. This replaces earlier practices that offered more flexibility in choosing interview locations and aligns processing more strictly with consular districts.

The change will affect a wide range of applicants, including those selected for the 2026 Diversity Visa programme. Applicants living in countries where routine visa services are suspended will need to travel to specific designated processing posts. Nationals of other countries may apply elsewhere only if they can provide proof of residence.

Exceptions will be limited to urgent cases involving humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy considerations. For non-immigrant visas, the policy took effect on 1 October. Applicants must now schedule interviews at US embassies or consulates in their home country or country of residence.

The Department of State has said that this measure aims to reduce “visa shopping,” where applicants seek appointments in third countries with shorter wait times or perceived easier processing. Those who try to schedule interviews outside their designated jurisdiction may face stricter review and a higher risk of refusal.

Application fees remain non-refundable and non-transferable. A list of updated processing posts, released on 10 October, is intended to help applicants navigate the new requirements.

Most existing immigrant visa appointments will not be affected. However, applicants who wish to transfer their case to another consular district must submit a request through the NVC’s Public Inquiry Form.

Direct contact with individual embassies or consulates is discouraged, and applicants may be required to provide evidence of residence or justify their need for an exception. The Department has said the new system is designed to make visa processing more efficient and consistent.