Home site All News Items LATEST NEWS ALERT: Consular Interviews Now Take Place in Country of Residence - (09/09/25)
LATEST NEWS ALERT: Consular Interviews Now Take Place in Country of Residence - (09/09/25)
Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments:
- Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant O and P visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
- Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere. The State Department has published a list of those designated locations.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency. Also, according to the latest State Department announcement, “Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa. Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.”