Major Immigration Policy Updates Take Effect November 2025
The United States has implemented sweeping visa policy changes throughout November 2025 that will impact thousands of immigrant visa applicants, H-1B workers, and religious workers worldwide. Beginning November 1, 2025, all immigrant visa applicants must complete their interviews in their designated consular district, marking the most significant tightening of interview location requirements in recent years.
These changes come alongside other critical updates, including a controversial $100,000 H-1B proclamation fee that took effect September 21, 2025, and extensions for religious worker visas through January 2026. Understanding these new requirements is essential for anyone planning to apply for a US visa or adjust their immigration status.
New Consular Interview Location Requirements
Effective November 1, 2025, the State Department enforces strict rules about where immigrant visa applicants can schedule their interviews. This policy replaces previous flexible arrangements that allowed applicants to choose interview locations.
- Mandatory District Rule: All applicants must interview in the consular district where they currently reside or in their country of nationality
- All Visa Categories Affected: Applies to family-based, employment-based, and Diversity Visa (DV-2026) lottery winners
- Transfer Requests Required: Applicants wanting different locations must submit requests through the National Visa Center's Public Inquiry Form
- Limited Exceptions: Only humanitarian emergencies, medical crises, or foreign policy reasons qualify for exemptions
- Additional Documentation: NVC may request proof of residence or justification for location exceptions
- Existing Appointments Protected: Most pre-scheduled appointments remain unchanged under grandfather provisions
This represents a significant policy shift affecting applicants worldwide. Moreover, those living in countries without routine visa services must now apply at designated processing posts, adding potential travel requirements to the application process.
Who Is Affected by the Interview Location Changes
The new consular interview requirements impact multiple categories of visa applicants, with varying levels of disruption depending on individual circumstances.
For Diversity Visa Lottery Winners
All DV-2026 program participants must now complete interviews in their country of residence or nationality. This eliminates the previous practice of "visa shopping" at more efficient consulates, potentially extending processing times for winners in countries with backlogged embassies.
For Family-Based Green Card Applicants
Applicants waiting for family-sponsored immigrant visas can no longer choose convenient third-country interview locations. Those who relocated while waiting must provide documentation proving their new residence or face denial of transfer requests.
For Employment-Based Visa Applicants
Workers pursuing employment-based green cards through consular processing must interview where they currently live. Expatriates working in third countries cannot return to their home country for interviews without proper justification and approval from the National Visa Center.
Understanding the $100,000 H-1B Proclamation Fee
One of the most controversial immigration changes in 2025, the $100,000 H-1B fee creates substantial financial barriers for employers sponsoring certain H-1B workers.
- Effective Date: September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT for all new H-1B petitions
- Who Pays: Petitions filed for beneficiaries outside the US without valid H-1B visas
- Payment Timing: Fee must be paid through Pay.gov BEFORE filing the petition
- Proof Required: Payment confirmation must accompany the petition or USCIS will deny it
- Legal Challenges: Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging the proclamation's validity
However, several important exemptions exist. Change of status petitions for applicants already in the United States are not subject to the fee, nor are extensions or amendments for workers already holding H-1B status.
How to Navigate the New Interview Location Requirements
Applicants affected by the consular interview changes should follow these steps to ensure compliance and avoid delays:
- Verify Your Consular District: Check the US embassy or consulate website for your country to confirm the correct district based on your residence
- Gather Residence Documentation: Collect utility bills, lease agreements, employment letters, or other proof showing your current address
- Submit Transfer Requests Early: If you need to interview elsewhere, file your National Visa Center transfer request immediately with full justification
- Prepare Exception Documentation: For humanitarian or medical emergencies, compile medical records, death certificates, or other supporting evidence
- Check Existing Appointments: If you scheduled your interview before November 1, 2025, verify that your appointment remains valid at that location
- Update Your Passport Photo: Ensure your passport photo meets current requirements before your interview to avoid delays or rejections
Important Dates and Timeline for 2025 Immigration Changes
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to stay compliant with the latest visa policy changes:
- September 21, 2025: $100,000 H-1B proclamation fee takes effect for new petitions filed on or after this date
- November 1, 2025: New consular interview location requirements begin enforcement for all immigrant visa categories
- November 12, 2025: Religious worker visa category extension signed into law, extending program until January 30, 2026
- December 26, 2025: DHS begins collecting biometric data (photographs and fingerprints) from all noncitizens as part of expanded security measures
- January 29, 2026 (Midnight): Final deadline for religious worker visa issuance overseas or adjustment of status final action
- TBD - DV-2027: State Department has not yet announced registration period start date for Diversity Visa lottery due to undisclosed program changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Still Choose Where to Interview for My Immigrant Visa?
No, beginning November 1, 2025, you must interview in the consular district where you currently reside or in your country of nationality. Exceptions are extremely limited and require approval from the National Visa Center based on humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy grounds. You cannot simply choose a more convenient or faster-processing embassy.
Does the $100,000 H-1B Fee Apply to Extensions and Renewals?
No, the fee only applies to new H-1B petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025, for beneficiaries outside the United States who do not have valid H-1B visas. Extensions, amendments, and change of status petitions for workers already in the US are completely exempt. Additionally, if you already have a valid H-1B visa, the fee does not apply even if you file a new petition.
What Happens If I Miss the Religious Worker Visa Deadline?
All religious worker (SR category) visas must be issued overseas, or adjustment of status cases must receive final action, before midnight on January 29, 2026. After this deadline, no new SR visas can be issued until Congress passes another extension. If you're in the application process, work with your immigration attorney to expedite processing before this critical cutoff date.
How Do I Prove My Residence for the New Interview Location Rule?
The National Visa Center may request documentation such as utility bills, lease or mortgage agreements, employment verification letters, tax documents, or other official records showing your physical address. The documentation should cover a substantial period demonstrating you genuinely reside in that consular district, not just temporarily staying there for the interview.
What You Need to Know About These Visa Changes
The November 2025 immigration policy updates represent some of the most significant changes to US visa processing in recent years. The new consular interview location requirements eliminate flexibility for hundreds of thousands of applicants annually, while the $100,000 H-1B fee creates unprecedented cost barriers for employers sponsoring foreign workers.
If you're planning to apply for any US visa, take action now to understand how these changes affect your specific situation. Ensure your passport photo meets requirements before your interview appointment, gather all necessary residence documentation, and consult with an immigration attorney if you face unique circumstances. Additionally, stay informed about ongoing legal challenges to these policies, as court decisions may alter requirements in coming months.
--- **Sources:** - [U.S. Department of State - Adjudicating IV Applicants in Their Country of Residence](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-iv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html) - [Holland & Knight - Immigration: Recent Changes and New Regulations](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/11/immigration-recent-changes-and-new-regulations) - [Boundless - U.S. Tightens Rules on Where Visa Applicants Can Interview](https://www.boundless.com/blog/us-tightens-rules-on-where-immigrant-visa-applicants-can-interview) - [USCIS - Presidential Proclamation on Restriction of Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers](https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/presidential-proclamation-on-restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers) - [Envoy Global - State Department Updates Interview Location Requirements](https://www.envoyglobal.com/news-alert/state-department-updates-interview-location-requirements-for-immigrant-visa-applicants/)