The United States Government has announced a new policy that requires all nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants to schedule their interviews at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
The policy, published on the U.S. Department of State’s website on Saturday, September 6, took immediate effect. According to the department, the move is intended to streamline the visa adjudication process and ensure that applicants are interviewed in locations where they have established ties.
In its update, the State Department explained that nationals of countries where the U.S. is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations will now be required to apply at specific embassies or consulates designated for them. For instance, Afghan applicants will be processed in Islamabad, Cubans in Georgetown, Iranians in Dubai, Syrians in Amman, and Venezuelans in Bogota.
The department further clarified that applicants must demonstrate residence in the country where they seek to apply if their application is based on residency rather than nationality. For those scheduling interviews outside their country of nationality, additional documentation may be requested to confirm residency. Officials noted that this approach allows consular officers to better assess applicants’ connections to their home country or place of residence, which is a key factor in determining eligibility.
On the issue of fees, the department said that applicants who schedule interviews outside their country of nationality may face additional considerations, though it did not provide detailed guidelines. It, however, assured that existing nonimmigrant visa appointments would generally not be cancelled.
The guidance excludes certain applicants, such as those applying for diplomatic or official visas under categories A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, as well as visas covered by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement.
The State Department urged applicants to regularly consult the websites of U.S. embassies or consulates for specific instructions, procedures, and operational updates. It also advised that travelers stay informed through official platforms like travel.state.gov for the latest developments on visa policies.
This latest directive comes alongside other recent changes to U.S. visa regulations, including updates to interview waiver eligibility and the suspension of visa issuance for some nationalities.
