Major U.S. Visa Interview Policy Change Takes Effect November 1, 2025
The U.S. Department of State implemented a significant visa policy change on November 1, 2025, requiring all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants to complete interviews in the consular district of their place of residence or country of nationality. This eliminates the previous flexibility that allowed applicants to choose interview locations based on convenience or shorter wait times.
The new visa interview location requirements affect millions of applicants worldwide and mark one of the most significant changes to U.S. visa processing procedures in recent years. Immigration attorneys warn this could lead to substantially longer processing times and increased costs for visa applicants.
Key Changes to U.S. Visa Interview Location Requirements
The State Department's November 2025 policy update introduces several critical changes to how and where visa applicants can schedule interviews:
- Mandatory Interview Locations: All applicants must interview at the U.S. consulate serving their place of residence or in their country of nationality
- End of "Consulate Shopping": Applicants can no longer bypass long wait times by scheduling interviews at consulates in other countries with shorter queues
- National Visa Center (NVC) Control: All post-to-post transfer requests for immigrant visas must now go through NVC's Public Inquiry Form—direct contact with consulates is no longer accepted
- Limited Exceptions Only: Rare exceptions granted only for humanitarian emergencies, medical crises, or foreign policy reasons
- All Visa Categories Affected: Includes family-based, employment-based, Diversity Visa lottery winners (DV-2026), tourist, student, and work visas
The policy change applies to both immigrant visas (green card applicants) and nonimmigrant visas (temporary visitors, workers, and students). Previously, applicants facing 6-12 month wait times at their local consulate could request interviews at less busy locations.
Who Is Affected by the New Visa Interview Rules
This policy change impacts virtually every category of visa applicant seeking entry to the United States. The effects vary significantly based on visa type and country of residence.
For Employment-Based Visa Applicants
H-1B, L-1, and employment-based green card applicants must now interview at consulates in their country of employment or residence. This particularly affects workers temporarily assigned overseas who previously could interview at U.S. consulates in their assignment countries. Companies should budget for additional travel costs and extended processing timelines.
For Family-Based Visa Applicants
Spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents face potentially longer family separations due to increased wait times at high-volume consulates. Those living in countries with suspended visa operations must apply at designated processing posts, which may require international travel and extended stays away from family.
For Diversity Visa Lottery Winners
DV-2026 lottery winners must complete interviews in their country of residence or nationality before the September 30, 2026 deadline. With reduced flexibility in scheduling, winners in countries with long backlogs should initiate the process immediately to avoid missing the deadline.
How to Apply for a U.S. Visa Under the New Rules - Step by Step
Follow these updated procedures to ensure your visa application complies with the November 2025 requirements:
- Determine Your Correct Consulate: Identify the U.S. consulate serving your current place of residence or your country of nationality using the State Department's embassy locator
- Prepare Your Passport Photo: Ensure your passport photo meets current U.S. visa requirements—photos must follow strict specifications for size, background, and biometric standards
- Complete Form DS-160 or DS-260: File the appropriate visa application form online, ensuring all information matches your supporting documents exactly
- Pay Visa Application Fees: Submit required fees through the designated payment system for your country (note: ESTA fees increased to $40 as of September 30, 2025)
- Schedule Your Interview: Book your appointment at the designated consulate—do not attempt to schedule at alternative locations unless you have documented proof of residence change
- Request Transfers Through NVC Only: If you believe you qualify for an exception, submit your transfer request via the National Visa Center's Public Inquiry Form with supporting documentation
- Attend Your Interview: Arrive with all required documents, including valid passport, application confirmation, and supporting evidence of eligibility
Important Dates and Timeline for Visa Policy Changes
Multiple significant visa policy changes have taken effect in recent months. Stay informed about these critical dates:
- September 6, 2025: Nonimmigrant visa applications restricted to country of residence or nationality—initial implementation
- September 30, 2025: ESTA fee increase from $21 to $40 for Visa Waiver Program travelers
- October 30, 2025: Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions eliminated for many renewal categories
- November 1, 2025: Immigrant visa interview location restrictions fully implemented—all applicants must interview in designated consulates
- September 30, 2026: Final deadline for DV-2026 Diversity Visa lottery winners to complete interviews and visa issuance
Frequently Asked Questions About New Visa Interview Rules
Can I Still Choose My Visa Interview Location?
No. As of November 1, 2025, you must interview at the U.S. consulate designated for your place of residence or in your country of nationality. The State Department eliminated the flexibility to choose alternative interview locations. Exceptions are only granted for documented humanitarian emergencies, serious medical conditions, or foreign policy considerations.
What If My Local Consulate Has Very Long Wait Times?
Unfortunately, long wait times at your designated consulate no longer justify transferring to another location. You must apply at your assigned consulate regardless of processing delays. To minimize wait time, schedule your interview as early as possible and ensure all documentation is complete and accurate to avoid delays or denials.
How Do I Request a Transfer to Another Consulate?
All post-to-post transfer requests for immigrant visas must be submitted through the National Visa Center's Public Inquiry Form with detailed justification and supporting documentation. Do not contact consulates directly. Approval is granted only in exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies or humanitarian crises.
What You Need to Know About the November 2025 Visa Changes
The November 2025 visa interview location requirements represent a significant tightening of U.S. immigration policy. Applicants should expect longer processing times, reduced flexibility, and potentially higher costs due to required travel to designated consulates. Early preparation is essential to avoid missing deadlines or experiencing extended family separations.
Before starting your visa application process, ensure your passport photo meets all current requirements to avoid delays or rejections. VisaPics provides compliant visa and passport photos for over 952 document types across 172 countries, ensuring your application materials meet the latest biometric and formatting standards. Check our visa photo specifications to ensure your documentation is accurate and complete before your interview.