Immediate Changes to Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Announced
The U.S. Department of State announced on Saturday that, effective immediately, applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (temporary visas) will be restricted to scheduling consular interviews in their country of nationality or legal residence. Vong Law Group's recent article detailed a similar change requiring applicants for immigrant/green card interviews to apply in their country of last residence. This new policy marks a significant departure from long-standing practices that permitted third-country national (TCN) processing, particularly in countries with shorter wait times.
Key Policy Changes
Country of Interview Requirement: Nonimmigrant visa applicants must now attend interviews at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or formal legal residence.
Elimination of TCN Processing: The new guidance appears to discontinue the practice of applying for visas in third countries, even though State Department resources referencing TCN appointments remain publicly accessible.
Transition Measures: Applicants with existing appointments will generally not see those appointments canceled.
Limited Exceptions: Diplomatic and official visa categories (A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO) and applicants covered by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement remain exempt. Humanitarian and medical emergencies, or certain foreign policy considerations, may also justify exceptions.
Practical Implications
Reduced Flexibility: Applicants can no longer take advantage of alternative posts with shorter wait times. All processing must occur in the home or residence country.
Restricted Interview Waivers: Following the rollback of most interview waivers on September 2, nearly all categories—including H-1B, L-1, F-1, J-1, and O-1—now require in-person interviews, with only narrow exemptions.
Potential for Increased Delays: With higher interview volumes and fewer processing options, consular backlogs are expected to grow, placing added pressure on mobility and workforce planning.
Senior Executives Also Impacted: Employers should anticipate longer lead times in securing visa appointments for all employees, including senior executives who travel internationally quite often.
Contact Vong Law Group if you have questions about your nonimmigrant visa interview.
