Major US Immigration Policy Changes Take Effect November 2025
The United States has implemented sweeping visa policy changes effective November 1, 2025, fundamentally altering how millions of immigrant visa applicants schedule interviews and pay fees. The U.S. Department of State announced new restrictions requiring all immigrant visa applicants to interview in their country of residence or nationality, ending the practice of "consulate shopping" where applicants could choose faster processing locations.
These changes arrive alongside significant fee increases, including a controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee that took effect in September 2025, and a historic $1 registration charge for the Diversity Visa lottery. The policy shifts affect family-based immigrants, employment visa holders, diversity lottery winners, and asylum seekers across all immigration categories.
New Immigrant Visa Interview Location Requirements - Key Changes
Starting November 1, 2025, the National Visa Center now mandates where applicants can schedule their visa interviews. Here's what changed:
- Mandatory Interview Locations: All immigrant visa applicants must interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence or, if requested, their country of nationality
- End of Consulate Shopping: Applicants can no longer request interviews at neighboring countries' embassies with shorter wait times or easier processing
- All Categories Affected: Policy applies to family-based visas, employment-based green cards, and DV-2026 Diversity Visa lottery winners
- Residence Documentation: The National Visa Center may request proof of residence to verify eligibility for interview location assignments
- Limited Exceptions: Rare exceptions granted only for humanitarian emergencies, medical emergencies, or foreign policy reasons
- Existing Appointments Protected: Current scheduled interviews will generally not be rescheduled or cancelled under the new policy
The State Department clarified that applicants who wish to transfer their case after scheduling must contact the National Visa Center through their Public Inquiry Form. Consular sections should not be contacted directly for transfer requests, streamlining the process through one central authority.
Who Is Affected By These Visa Policy Changes
The November 2025 immigration policy updates impact specific groups differently. Understanding your category helps you prepare accordingly.
For Family-Based Immigration Applicants
If you're applying for a family-sponsored green card (IR-1, IR-2, F-1, F-2A, F-2B, F-3, F-4 categories), you must now interview at the U.S. embassy in your current country of residence. This eliminates the option to interview in a third country where you might have had family connections or faster appointment availability. Spouses of U.S. citizens and family preference visa holders should verify their assigned consulate immediately.
For Employment-Based Green Card Applicants
Employment-based immigrant visa applicants (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5 categories) face the same location restrictions. If you're currently working abroad on an L-1 or H-1B visa and applying for permanent residence, you must interview where you actually reside, not where you maintain a vacation home or secondary residence. Employers sponsoring workers should factor in longer processing times if employees are in countries with interview backlogs.
For Diversity Visa Lottery Winners
DV-2026 lottery winners selected in May 2025 must follow the new interview location rules when scheduling appointments. Additionally, DV-2027 applicants will face the first-ever $1 registration fee when the lottery opens (expected late November 2025). This marks a historic change after decades of free entry into the green card lottery program.
How to Navigate the New Interview Location Policy - Step by Step
Follow these steps to ensure your immigrant visa interview is scheduled correctly under the new requirements:
- Verify Your Country of Residence: Gather documentation proving where you currently live (lease agreements, utility bills, employment letters, bank statements from the past 6-12 months)
- Check Your Assigned Consulate: Visit the U.S. embassy website for your country of residence to confirm they process immigrant visas and review current wait times
- Review Exception Criteria: If you have humanitarian concerns (medical emergency, safety threats, consulate closures), document them thoroughly before contacting the National Visa Center
- Submit Required Documents to NVC: Ensure all civil documents, financial evidence, and DS-260 forms are complete before the NVC schedules your interview at the designated location
- Request Transfers Through Proper Channels: If you need to change locations, use only the National Visa Center's Public Inquiry Form - do not contact the consulate directly or your request may be delayed
- Prepare Your Passport Photo: Ensure your passport photo meets all U.S. visa photo requirements to avoid application delays or rejections at your interview
Important Dates and Timeline for November 2025 Changes
Mark these critical dates for the new immigration policy implementation:
- November 1, 2025: Interview location restrictions take effect for all new immigrant visa appointments scheduled by the National Visa Center
- September 21, 2025 (Already in Effect): $100,000 H-1B visa fee applies to new petitions for beneficiaries outside the U.S. without valid H-1B visas
- October 16, 2025 (Already in Effect): $1 Diversity Visa lottery registration fee requirement established by the State Department
- Late November 2025 (Expected): DV-2027 green card lottery registration period opens with the new $1 fee (exact dates to be announced)
- October 1, 2025 (Already in Effect): $250 Visa Integrity Fee added to all nonimmigrant visas issued at U.S. embassies (H-1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, B-1/B-2, J-1)
- October 30, 2025: $100 annual asylum application fee temporarily paused by federal court pending litigation
Frequently Asked Questions About November 2025 Visa Changes
Can I Still Interview at a U.S. Embassy in a Third Country?
No, under the new policy effective November 1, 2025, you must interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence or nationality only. Exceptions are extremely rare and granted only for humanitarian emergencies, medical emergencies, or foreign policy reasons. The practice of choosing faster-processing embassies in neighboring countries has been eliminated.
What Happens If I Already Have a Visa Interview Scheduled?
The State Department confirmed that existing immigrant visa appointments scheduled before November 1, 2025, will generally not be rescheduled or cancelled. You should be able to attend your interview as planned, even if the location wouldn't be permitted under the new rules. However, verify your appointment status with the National Visa Center to ensure no changes were made.
How Much Does the H-1B Visa Cost Now With the New Fees?
As of September 2025, employers must pay a one-time $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions where the beneficiary is outside the U.S. and doesn't have a valid H-1B visa. This is in addition to standard fees: $500 fraud prevention fee, $750-$1,500 ACWIA fee (depending on company size), $300-$600 Asylum Program fee, and $2,805 for premium processing if requested. Total costs can exceed $104,000 per new H-1B worker.
Is the Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Still Free?
No, starting with DV-2027 (registration expected late November 2025), applicants must pay a $1 electronic registration fee to enter the lottery. This is the first fee in the program's history. The fee is non-refundable even if you're not selected or decide not to pursue a visa. Lottery winners still pay the separate $330 visa processing fee if selected.
Do These Changes Affect Tourist and Student Visas?
The November 1, 2025 interview location restrictions apply specifically to immigrant visas (green cards), not nonimmigrant visas like B-1/B-2 tourist visas or F-1 student visas. However, nonimmigrant visa applicants now pay an additional $250 Visa Integrity Fee effective October 1, 2025. This affects H-1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, B-1/B-2, and J-1 visa categories.
What You Need to Know About These Immigration Policy Changes
The November 2025 visa policy changes represent the most significant shift in U.S. immigration processing procedures in recent years. Interview location restrictions eliminate flexibility that many applicants relied on for faster processing, while substantial fee increases make immigration more expensive for employers and individuals alike. The combination of these policies may extend wait times and increase costs across all visa categories.
If you're planning to apply for an immigrant visa, start preparing your documentation now and verify your interview location eligibility early. Furthermore, ensure your passport photo meets all official requirements before your interview to avoid delays - proper photo specifications vary by document type and country. Additionally, consult with an immigration attorney if you believe you qualify for location exceptions due to humanitarian or medical circumstances, as these requests require thorough documentation and proper channels.