On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued updated instructions for nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants. Effective immediately, applicants are strongly encouraged to schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
This is not an absolute requirement, but the State Department makes clear that applying outside of one’s country of nationality or residence carries significant disadvantages. The policy supersedes previous guidance on nonimmigrant visa application locations.
Key Points for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
- Recommended Interview Location: Applicants should apply in their country of nationality or residence. Proof of residence may be requested.
- If Applying Elsewhere: Applicants may choose to apply in another country, but they may face:
- Greater difficulty qualifying for the visa.
- Much longer wait times for available appointments.
- Non-refundable fees — visa application fees cannot be transferred or refunded if denied or delayed.
- Greater difficulty qualifying for the visa.
- Existing Appointments: Current appointments will generally not be canceled, but this does not mean a visa will be issued after the appointment.
- Exceptions: The new guidance does not apply to applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas, diplomatic/official-type visas, or travel covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement. Rare exceptions may also be made for humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons.
Shortly after this guidance was published, an individual attempting to schedule a third-country national (TCN) L-1 visa appointment was automatically redirected to a notice linked to this new policy. This shows that the appointment scheduling system is already being updated to reflect the Department of State’s instructions, reinforcing the Department’s position that applicants should interview in their country of residence or nationality whenever possible.
Individuals with appointments already scheduled in third-countries were able to attend their interviews, but some were issued 221(g) letters after the interview stating their visas could not be issued while others were approved after the interview. This shows inconsistent adjudication among the consular posts as they await further guidance from the State Department.
Designated Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Locations
Nationals of countries where the U.S. is not conducting routine visa services must apply at designated posts unless they reside elsewhere. A full list is available on the Department of State website.
What Applicants Should Do
- Apply in your country of nationality or residence whenever possible, to avoid extra delays or complications.
- Be prepared for longer wait times and potential qualification issues if applying elsewhere.
- Check embassy and consulate websites for operating status, wait times, and appointment availability.
While not an absolute requirement, the Department of State’s guidance makes clear that applicants who do not apply in their country of nationality or residence risk long delays, higher scrutiny, and loss of application fees. Early reports confirm that the online scheduling system is already steering applicants toward compliance with this guidance.