If you are planning to travel to the United States, take note: the U.S. Department of State has announced new rules for non-immigrant visa applicants. Starting September 6, 2025, most travellers must schedule their visa interview either in their country of nationality or in the country where they legally reside.
The Core Change
Applicants are now tied to their home embassy or the country where they can prove legal residence. This rule replaces older, more flexible guidelines that allowed interviews in third countries.
What Applicants Need to Know
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Proof of Residence: You must show legal residence in the country where you’re applying.
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Nonrefundable Fees: Visa fees are linked to the application post. Applying in the wrong place means losing your money.
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Longer Wait Times: If you apply outside your country of nationality or residence, expect much longer delays.
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Existing Appointments: Interviews already scheduled under old rules will remain valid.
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Exceptions: Diplomatic, official, UN-related, NATO, and certain urgent humanitarian or medical cases are exempt.
Why It Matters
This change will affect travellers who previously used third-country embassies to avoid long wait times or where U.S. embassies had limited services. Nationals from countries without routine visa operations must now use the designated embassies provided by the U.S.
The U.S. State Department is urging applicants to check the official website of their local embassy or consulate for location-specific rules and updated appointment availability.
👉 For most travellers: apply where you live or where you are a citizen—nowhere else.