What to Know About the New U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Rules (Effective September 6, 2025)

What to Know About the New U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Rules (Effective September
6, 2025)

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Starting September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State introduced important changes for all
nonimmigrant visa applicants. Now, if you're applying for a U.S. visa, your interview must be
scheduled at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or residence. If
routine visa operations are suspended in that location, you'll need to go to a designated
alternative post—for example, applicants from Ukraine should apply in Krakow or Warsaw,
while those from Venezuela go to Bogotá Travel State.
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Crucially, you'll be required to demonstrate genuine residence in the country where you apply.
This update may be the temporary end of third country national processing, which was
commonly used to apply for nonimmigrant visas in convenient countries where one did not
possess residency or citizenship.
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Bottom line: plan ahead—schedule early, apply from the proper location, and thoroughly check
your embassy's website for the latest guidelines and appointment availability. This update
streamlines processing and aims to better align visa adjudication with applicants’ residency, but
it does require extra attention to timing and location.

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