What Happened

The U.S. Department of State issued new guidance that nonimmigrant visa interviews must be conducted in the applicant’s country of residence—or nationality when requested. The change, effective immediately, aims to reduce scheduling conflicts and streamline interview assignments. The department also published a list of “designated posts” where applicants from countries without routine visa services will now be directed for interviews.

• Applies to most temporary visa types, including work, study, and visitor categories.
• Applicants may request interviews by nationality if residency-based scheduling is not practical.
• Existing interview appointments will generally remain valid unless reassigned.

Context

The policy update comes as part of the State Department’s ongoing consular modernization plan to manage backlogs that grew during the pandemic. Before this change, many applicants scheduled interviews in other countries to shorten wait times. Officials say the new rule restores a consistent standard while maintaining limited exceptions for humanitarian and medical cases.

“Applicants should schedule at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.” — Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. State Department

Why It Matters

• Applicants may face longer waits at home-country consulates but fewer denials for venue errors.
• The rule improves coordination between local embassy systems and national visa processing centers.
• It standardizes venue rules ahead of the 2026 Diversity Visa season and related policy updates.

What’s Next

Embassies are expected to update local appointment calendars over the next several weeks. The National Visa Center will continue rerouting applicants as needed. Travelers planning to renew or apply for visas should check updated wait times for their home-country post before booking international travel.