New US Policy Ends Third-Country Visa Interviews, Requiring Non-Immigrant Applicants to Apply in Home Country Only

 

The United States has introduced a major shift in its non-immigrant visa policy, now requiring applicants to schedule their interviews exclusively at U.S. embassies or consulates in their country of nationality or legal residence. Effective immediately as of September 6, 2025, this policy change eliminates the longstanding option of attending interviews in third countries, a practice many applicants used to bypass long wait times in their home nations.

According to the U.S. Department of State, nationals of countries where routine non-immigrant visa operations are not conducted must now apply at designated locations. Examples include Iranian nationals applying in Dubai, Venezuelans in Bogotá, and Yemenis in Riyadh. The full list of designated locations is available on the State Department’s official visa portal.

The updated policy introduces several key requirements for applicants. Individuals must prove their legal residence in the country where they are applying. Visa fees paid for interviews outside the applicant’s country of residence are non-refundable and cannot be transferred. Additionally, scheduling interviews in a third country may result in significantly longer wait times, highlighting the importance of compliance with the new rules.

Certain exceptions exist. Diplomatic, NATO, and UN-related visa applicants remain exempt from these location requirements. Humanitarian or medical emergencies, as well as certain foreign policy considerations, may also warrant exceptions, though applicants must provide compelling evidence and seek guidance from their local U.S. embassy or consulate.

The policy change will particularly affect countries like Nigeria and India, where applicants previously relied on third-country interviews to navigate limited appointment availability. In Nigeria, for example, applicants often traveled to nearby countries such as Cameroon, Ghana, Namibia, or the Ivory Coast to secure faster interview slots. The new requirement to apply strictly within one’s country of residence is expected to increase competition for appointments, lengthen wait times, and complicate the application process.

Indian applicants may face additional challenges, as the elimination of third-country interviews coincides with stricter enforcement of the in-person interview requirement for most categories, including minors under 14 and adults over 79. Previously, some applicants were eligible for a visa interview waiver, but this change means that nearly all applicants must now attend in-person interviews, adding pressure to the already overburdened system.

Visa applicants are urged to plan well in advance, prepare all required documentation, and regularly consult their local U.S. embassy or consulate websites for updates on appointment availability and procedural requirements. Legal advice may be necessary for those seeking exceptions due to humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons.

The Department of State emphasized that existing appointments will generally not be cancelled and that the changes do not affect diplomatic, NATO, or UN-related visas. Officials framed the policy shift as part of broader efforts to streamline visa adjudications, manage global backlogs, and strengthen security protocols worldwide.

This significant adjustment signals the end of a practice that allowed applicants to circumvent local delays, compelling travelers to navigate the U.S. visa process strictly from their country of residence or nationality. Applicants are advised to act promptly and ensure compliance to avoid financial loss and prolonged delays, as the new rules are already in effect.