Visa Interview Location Flexibility Ends for Many Applicants

Starting November 1, 2025, immigrant visa applicants will generally be required to interview at a U.S. consular post in their country of residence or, if requested, their country of nationality. This rule replaces broader flexibility that previously allowed applicants to schedule interviews in “third countries” where appointment wait times were shorter. For immigration attorneys and firms, this visa interview location change introduces new planning considerations: existing staffing and client timelines may need to shift, and the logistics of interview location must now be embedded into case strategy much earlier.

What Has Changed for the U.S. Visa Interview Location and Why

Under prior DOS guidance, both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants often had the option to schedule their visa interview at any U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Applicants frequently sought U.S. Visa interview locations with shorter processing times or more convenient travel from their residence.

The DOS announcement made on August 28, 2025, explains the change for immigrant visas: beginning November 1, 2025, the National Visa Center (NVC) will schedule interviews in the country of residence unless a request is made for the country of nationality. Meanwhile, the policy for nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) was updated earlier, with guidance dated September 6, 2025, stating that applicants should schedule their visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. DOS indicates that the purpose of this shift is to strengthen consular jurisdiction, improve local oversight, and reduce administrative complexity of case transfers between jurisdictions.

What the Visa Interview Location Rule Change Means in Practice

For Immigrant Visa Applicants:

• As of November 1, 2025, by default the NVC will assign interviews in the consular district of residence. Applicants may request a country-of-nationality location, but must provide justification and documentation
• Applicants residing in countries where routine visa services are suspended or limited will be directed to designated processing posts. For example, nationals residing in Sudan may be instructed to travel to Cairo
• Existing appointments scheduled before November 1 will generally remain valid and will not automatically be cancelled by the NVC

For Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants (such as H-1B, F-1, B-1/B-2):

• While the November 1 date applies mainly to immigrant visas, DOS guidance indicates non-immigrant interview location rules are already constrained, with applicants required to apply in a country of residence or nationality
• Applicants who booked appointments in third-countries may face increased risk of denial or invalid appointment if they did not follow the updated policy

Implications for Attorneys and Employers

• Timeline Planning: Employers and immigration law firms must factor interview scheduling into timeline projections. If an employee or beneficiary is living abroad, the consular post in that location may have longer wait times than third-country alternatives previously used
• Client Counseling: Applicants must be advised early on about where their interview will be scheduled so travel and accommodation arrangements are not made prematurely based on prior flexibility
• Case Transfer Requests: If an applicant wishes to change consular districts after scheduling, they must use the NVC’s Public Inquiry Form, contacting the consulate directly is discouraged and may delay processing
• Location-Specific Wait Times and Risk: Applicants in countries with long consular queues should be informed about potential delays and may need to explore alternate strategies (e.g., change of residence) if feasible
• Documentation of Residence: Applicants requesting location exceptions must provide evidence of residence if they reside outside their country of nationality. Firms should gather such documentation proactively