U.S. Updates Visa Interview Policy: Applicants Must Attend in Home Country

The U. S. Department of State has made a significant policy change that will affect visa applicants for both immigrant and non-immigrant categories globally. From now on, only very few exceptions apply, as all applicants have to attend their visa interviews in the country of their nationality or residence with immediate effect.

What’s Changing?

In the past, the possibility of having an interview at the U. S. embassies or consulates in third countries was given to some applicants; this flexibility was often used by temporary residents or travelers. However, the new policy has already restricted that option very largely.

According to the Department of State, New and Better Options for Applicants, if all goes as planned, it would be really nice to process visas quicker, give better and more consistent decisions, and lighten the embassies’ workload and bad situation caused by increasing refusals. Not only that, but it will enable officers to have a closer look at each applicant’s background, residence ties, and eligibility in the right local context.

Who Is Affected?

This new policy includes:

All types of immigrant visas (family, employment-based, and diversity visas, among them)
All nonimmigrant visas (tourist B1/B2, student F1, and work visas like H-1B, L-1, etc.)

Applicants demonstrating these reasons urgently will be given consular attention — humanitarian grounds, government assignments, or special circumstances as per the U. S. Consular Affairs Office.

How Applicants Should Prepare

Interviews should be arranged early in the home country, and the required documents that comply with the local embassy’s updated procedures should be provided by the applicants. As consulates readjust to this worldwide policy, processing times may differ. For those aiming for a U. S. visa in 2025, the expert guidance can make the process easier and quicker.

At Abhinav Immigration Services, our consultants guide you through the latest changes in the law, help you build your case with strong documentation, and keep you away from recurring mistakes during the interview.

Be aware, be prepared — and let Abhinav Immigration Services lead you through the U. S. visa process with assurance.