The United States government has announced a change to its immigration policies, mandating applicants to conduct visa interviews in the country of nationality or residence.
The new guidance was detailed in a press release issued on September 6, 2025, on the State Department’s official visa portal.
According to the press release, the new policy, which will mandate applicants to conduct their visa interview at their country of residence, is aimed at streamlining visa processing and enhancing security protocols.
The new policy which will take effect from November 1, 2025, ends the policy that offered immigrants the ability to choose interview locations based on convenience or shorter wait times.
It was also gathered that the new policy will be implemented on all immigrant visa categories, including family-based, employment-based, and Diversity Visa (DV-2026) applicants, and introduces stricter guidelines for those in countries with limited or suspended consular services.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the U.S. government has put in place visa processing locations for applicants in countries where routine visa operations are suspended.
The Department noted: “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.
“The list of designated locations covers nationals from conflict-affected or diplomatically restricted states such as Afghanistan (Islamabad), Belarus (Vilnius, Warsaw), Cuba (Georgetown), Iran (Dubai), Russia (Astana, Warsaw), Venezuela (Bogota), and Yemen (Riyadh).
“Applicants are also warned of three critical changes;
Residence Requirement: “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: “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.”
Appointment Availability: “Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.”
According to the press release, exceptions may still be granted for “humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.”
The Department urged applicants to check their local embassy or consulate websites for details on requirements and wait times.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that for many applicants, this new policy will limit their previous options to select consulates with shorter wait times or more convenient locations.
In the past, applicants were allowed to request interviews at consular posts outside their country of residence to expedite processing or accommodate travel constraints.
However, with the latest development, those wishing to transfer their case to a different consular district after scheduling must contact the NVC via its Public Inquiry Form, as direct communication with consular sections is not permitted.
The NVC may also request additional documentation to verify residence if an applicant seeks an interview outside their assigned district or country of nationality.
Reacting to the development, Emily Neumann, a U.S. immigration attorney, described the new policy as a “needless blow.”
Emily said: “State Dept’s new rule forces nonimmigrant workers to apply for visas only in their home country. No clear justification—just more hurdles, delays, and costs for global talent and employers. Yet another needless blow to work visa processing.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that in Nigeria, for example, for years, when slots in Abuja or Lagos were unavailable, applicants often turned to consulates in Cameroon, Namibia, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Canada, or even the Dominican Republic to fast-track their chances.
Recall that the U.S. Department of State, in its updated Global Visa Wait Times tool revealed that in Nigeria, B1/B2 (business/tourism) visa interviews wait time is around 9.5 months (next slot in 7 months). However, F/M/J and other work or crew categories usually last 2-3 months.
This development also comes as part of the numerous rules changes being implemented by the administration of U.S President Donald Trump.
Trump had vowed to tighten immigration rules and increase oversight of the process.
