Major Visa Policy Changes Take Effect in October 2025
The United States implemented significant visa policy changes in October 2025 that affect millions of travelers, workers, and green card applicants worldwide. Effective October 1, 2025, the State Department ended broad interview waivers for children under 14 and adults over 79, requiring most applicants to attend in-person visa interviews. Additionally, a new H-2A agricultural worker visa processing system launched October 2, 2025, allowing faster petition reviews for American farmers.
These changes mark a shift toward stricter security vetting while simultaneously streamlining certain employment-based visa processes. The October 2025 Visa Bulletin also brought welcome news for green card applicants, with moderate to significant priority date movements across family-sponsored and employment-based categories as the new fiscal year begins.
Key Visa Policy Changes for October 2025
Here are the most important visa policy updates that took effect this month:
- Mandatory Interviews for Children and Seniors: Starting October 1, 2025, children under 14 and adults over 79 must generally attend in-person visa interviews, ending COVID-era exemptions
- Streamlined H-2A Processing: As of October 2, 2025, USCIS can begin processing agricultural worker petitions while DOL reviews employment requests, significantly reducing wait times
- October 2025 Visa Bulletin Released: New fiscal year brings 226,000 family-sponsored and 140,000 employment-based green card numbers with updated priority dates
- Diversity Visa Reduction: DV-2026 annual limit reduced to approximately 52,000 visas due to NACARA allocations and National Defense Authorization Act amendments
- Religious Worker Category Unavailable: Employment Fourth Preference SR category expired September 30, 2025, with no new visas issued after that date
These changes come amid significant increases in visa interview wait times, with visitor visa waits rising 69% and student visa interview times growing over 250% between January and August 2025. Understanding these new requirements is essential for anyone planning to apply for a US visa or adjust their immigration status.
Who Is Affected by These Visa Policy Changes
The October 2025 visa policy changes impact diverse groups of applicants across multiple visa categories. From families traveling with young children to agricultural employers and green card hopefuls, understanding how these changes affect your specific situation is crucial for successful visa application.
For Families and Tourist Visa Applicants
Parents traveling with children under 14 or seniors over 79 must now schedule separate visa interviews for family members previously exempt. This affects tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1), and most nonimmigrant categories. However, certain visa renewals including full-validity B-1/B-2 visas and Border Crossing Cards for Mexican nationals remain eligible for interview waivers.
For Agricultural Employers and H-2A Workers
American farmers and agricultural businesses benefit from the new October 2, 2025 H-2A processing rule that allows USCIS to review petitions concurrently with DOL's Temporary Labor Certification process. Employers can now file Form I-129H2A electronically for unnamed beneficiaries, though no petition will be approved until DOL formally approves the employment request. This streamlines the process for the 315,500+ H-2A visas issued annually.
For Green Card Applicants
Family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants see varied impacts from the October 2025 Visa Bulletin. Final Action Dates advanced by several weeks to months across most employment-based categories, while family-sponsored categories show country-specific movements. Applicants should review priority dates carefully and ensure their passport photo meets current requirements before filing adjustment of status applications.
How to Navigate the New Visa Interview Requirements
Follow these steps to comply with the October 2025 visa interview policy changes:
- Determine Interview Eligibility: Check if your visa category and age group now requires an in-person interview under the new October 1, 2025 policy
- Schedule Early: Book visa interview appointments as soon as possible, as wait times have increased significantly (69% for visitor visas, 250%+ for student visas)
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, photo, and supporting documents for your visa category
- Ensure Photo Compliance: Your visa application photo must meet strict State Department requirements; use professional visa photo services to avoid rejections
- Attend Interview: Arrive 15 minutes early, bring all original documents, and be prepared to answer questions about your travel purpose and ties to your home country
Important Dates and Timeline for October 2025 Visa Changes
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to stay compliant with new visa policies:
- October 1, 2025: Mandatory visa interviews begin for children under 14 and adults over 79
- October 2, 2025: New H-2A concurrent processing rule takes effect for agricultural worker petitions
- October 2025 Visa Bulletin: New fiscal year priority dates published for family-sponsored and employment-based green cards
- September 30, 2025: Employment Fourth Preference SR (Religious Workers) category expired; no new visas issued after this date
- Ongoing: Interview wait times continue to increase; apply 3-6 months before intended travel date
Frequently Asked Questions About October 2025 Visa Changes
Do All Children and Seniors Need Visa Interviews Now?
Yes, starting October 1, 2025, children under 14 and adults over 79 generally must attend in-person visa interviews. However, exemptions exist for diplomatic/official visa applicants and certain visa renewals, including full-validity B-1/B-2 visas, H-2A visas, and Border Crossing Cards for Mexican nationals. Even if you meet waiver criteria, consular officers may still require an in-person interview based on individual case circumstances.
How Does the New H-2A Processing Work?
The October 2, 2025 rule allows USCIS to begin processing H-2A agricultural worker petitions while the Department of Labor simultaneously reviews the Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) request. Employers file Form I-129H2A electronically with the DOL case number included. USCIS conducts its review concurrently, but no petition receives approval until DOL formally approves the TLC. This concurrent processing reduces overall wait times for farmers hiring seasonal agricultural workers.
What Should Green Card Applicants Do About Priority Date Movement?
Review the October 2025 Visa Bulletin carefully to determine if your priority date is current or approaching. For family-sponsored categories, use the Dates for Filing chart when filing adjustment of status applications. Employment-based applicants should consult with immigration attorneys about filing timing, especially if your priority date advanced significantly. Prepare all required documents including compliant passport photos, birth certificates, and employment letters well in advance of your filing date.
What You Need to Know About These Visa Policy Changes
The October 2025 visa policy changes represent the most significant updates to US immigration procedures in recent years, balancing enhanced security screening with streamlined processing for critical worker categories. The mandatory interview requirement affects thousands of families, students, and business travelers, while the H-2A concurrent processing rule provides much-needed relief to American agricultural employers facing seasonal labor shortages.
If you're planning to apply for any US visa, start your application process early to account for increased interview wait times and new requirements. Make sure your passport photo meets all official specifications before submission—photo rejections remain a leading cause of visa application delays. For green card applicants, the October 2025 Visa Bulletin brings hopeful priority date movements, but careful preparation of all documentation including compliant photographs is essential for successful adjustment of status filing.