Visa Appointments Must Be Scheduled in Home Country
The Department of State now requires all nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule their visa appointments in either their country of citizenship or their country of residence. This change brings an end to the long-standing practice of applying in third countries, which often were closer geographically and had shorter wait times for appointments. The requirement was announced on September 6, 2025 and took immediate effect.
Applicants who attempt to schedule interviews outside their country of citizenship or residence will face heightened scrutiny and a greater risk of denial. That said, the Department of State has confirmed that existing appointments will generally not be cancelled under the new policy.
For citizens of countries where the U.S. does not conduct routine visa operations, interviews must be scheduled at the designated embassy or consulate, unless the applicant resides elsewhere. A full chart of these designated locations is available here.
This new policy does not apply to the following categories:
A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and other diplomatic or official visas
Travelers covered under the UN Headquarters Agreement
Rare emergency cases involving medical, humanitarian, or urgent foreign policy needs
In the past, applicants had the flexibility to schedule interviews in third countries that were geographically closer to the United States, such as Canada, and/or with shorter wait times. This option was especially valuable for applicants from high-demand areas such as India and China, who often faced long delays in their home country and lengthy travel. Some also took advantage of third-country options when travel plans aligned, saving both time and money.
This updated policy removes that flexibility. Applicants are now limited to their home country or their country of residence, which will likely mean longer wait times for appointments, higher travel costs to reach designated posts, and fewer opportunities to expedite the process by choosing alternate locations.
This change follows the Department of State’s recent narrowing of interview waiver eligibility, which requires applicants who previously qualified for waivers to appear for in-person interviews.
Next Steps for Applicants:
Applicants should carefully review the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country or country of residence for the most up-to-date instructions. If applying in their country of residence, they should be prepared to provide proof of residence. Because appointment wait times are expected to lengthen and visa processing may take longer, applicants are strongly encouraged to plan well in advance and monitor visa appointment wait times.
The alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further.