Major US Visa Policy Changes Take Effect in November 2025
The United States Department of State and USCIS implemented sweeping visa policy changes in November 2025 that will significantly impact immigrant visa applicants, employment-based visa holders, and Diversity Visa lottery winners. Beginning November 1, 2025, all immigrant visa applicants must complete interviews in their designated consular district, marking the most significant change to visa processing procedures in recent years.
These policy updates come as the US immigration system undergoes major reforms, with changes affecting everything from interview locations to application fees and employment authorization documents. Understanding these new requirements is crucial for anyone planning to apply for a US visa or green card in the coming months.
New Immigrant Visa Interview Location Requirements Starting November 1, 2025
The most immediate change affects where applicants can schedule their visa interviews. This policy impacts all immigrant visa categories including family-based, employment-based, and Diversity Visa applicants.
- Designated Consular Districts: All applicants must interview in the consular district corresponding to their place of residence or country of nationality
- No Third-Country Processing: The policy eliminates the previous flexibility allowing applicants to interview at any convenient embassy or consulate
- Diversity Visa DV-2026 Affected: All Diversity Visa lottery winners in the DV-2026 program year must comply with the new interview location restrictions
- Family and Employment-Based Visas: Both family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa applicants fall under these new requirements
- Limited Exceptions: Only applicants who can demonstrate exceptional circumstances may request interviews outside their designated district
This change represents a significant tightening of visa processing rules, particularly affecting applicants who previously traveled to third countries with shorter wait times for visa interviews. The US Department of State implemented this policy to improve security screening and reduce visa fraud.
Who Is Affected By These Immigration Policy Changes
These November 2025 visa policy updates will impact millions of applicants worldwide. Whether you're applying for a green card, work visa, or immigrant visa, understanding how these changes affect your specific situation is essential.
For Immigrant Visa Applicants
If you're applying for a family-based or employment-based immigrant visa, you must now schedule your interview at the US embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Applicants who previously planned to interview in third countries will need to revise their travel plans and potentially face longer wait times. This includes fiancé(e) visa applicants (K-1), spouse visa applicants (CR-1/IR-1), and those seeking green cards through employment sponsorship.
For Diversity Visa Lottery Winners
DV-2026 lottery winners face additional challenges beyond interview location restrictions. The Diversity Visa program annual limit has been reduced to approximately 52,000 visas, down from the typical 55,000 allocation. Additionally, the DV-2027 registration period has been delayed, with the Department of State announcing it will reveal the new start date once undisclosed program changes are implemented.
For Employment-Based Visa Holders
H-1B visa petitions filed on or after September 2025 now require a $100,000 H-1B Proclamation Fee for each petition. Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application fees are also increasing from $550 to $560 effective January 1, 2026. Religious workers under the SR category received a temporary extension until January 30, 2026, providing additional time for visa processing.
How to Prepare for New Visa Interview Requirements - Step by Step
Follow these steps to ensure compliance with the new November 2025 visa policy changes and avoid application delays.
- Verify Your Consular District: Visit the US Department of State website to confirm which embassy or consulate serves your place of residence or nationality
- Check Interview Wait Times: Review current appointment availability at your designated consulate, as wait times vary significantly by location
- Gather Required Documents: Prepare all necessary documentation including valid passport, visa application confirmation, and ensure your passport photo meets current requirements
- Schedule Your Interview Promptly: Book your visa interview appointment as soon as possible, as slots at popular consulates fill quickly under the new restrictions
- Plan for Fee Increases: Budget for the new USCIS and CBP fee increases taking effect January 1, 2026, if your application extends into the new year
- Monitor Your Visa Bulletin Priority Date: For employment-based applicants, check the monthly Visa Bulletin to track your priority date advancement
- Consider Biometric Data Collection: Effective December 26, 2025, DHS will begin collecting fingerprints and photographs from all noncitizens, so prepare for additional processing time
Important Dates and Timeline for 2025-2026 Immigration Changes
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to stay ahead of visa policy changes and avoid missing important deadlines.
- November 1, 2025: New immigrant visa interview location requirements take effect nationwide
- November 21, 2025: USCIS, CBP, and ICE announce fee increases for various immigration benefits effective January 2026
- November 23, 2025: December 2025 Visa Bulletin published showing no advancement for most employment-based categories
- December 16, 2025: Immigration Skills Charge increase takes effect in the United Kingdom
- December 26, 2025: DHS begins mandatory biometric data collection (photographs and fingerprints) for all noncitizens
- January 1, 2026: New USCIS and CBP fees take effect, including EAD increase from $550 to $560
- January 8, 2026: UK implements higher B2 English language requirements for Skilled Worker and High Potential Individual visas
- January 30, 2026: Religious Workers (SR) visa category extension expires
Frequently Asked Questions About November 2025 Visa Policy Changes
Can I Still Interview at a Third-Country Embassy Under the New Rules?
No, the November 1, 2025 policy eliminates third-country visa processing for most applicants. You must now interview at the US embassy or consulate in your country of residence or nationality. Only exceptional circumstances with proper documentation may qualify for an exception. This applies to all immigrant visa categories including family-based, employment-based, and Diversity Visa applications.
How Much Are USCIS Fees Increasing in January 2026?
Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765) fees are increasing from $550 to $560 for asylum and parole applicants. CBP fees are also rising, with EVUS enrollment increasing from $30 to $30.75, ESTA from $40 to $40.27, and parole into the US from $1,000 to $1,020. These increases take effect January 1, 2026 as mandated by the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" for Fiscal Year 2026.
What Happened to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program?
The DV-2026 annual limit was reduced to approximately 52,000 visas, down from 55,000. The Department of State is also implementing undisclosed changes to the DV-2027 entry process, delaying the announcement of the registration period start date. Current DV-2026 winners must comply with the new interview location requirements and face the reduced visa allocation, making the program more competitive than ever.
What You Need to Know About These Immigration Updates
The November 2025 visa policy changes represent the most significant overhaul of US immigration procedures in recent years. From stricter interview location requirements to fee increases and Diversity Visa program reductions, these updates will affect hundreds of thousands of applicants worldwide. The new policies aim to enhance security screening, reduce fraud, and streamline immigration processing, though they may create additional challenges for applicants in certain regions.
If you're planning to apply for a US visa or green card, act now to understand how these changes affect your specific situation. Ensure your passport photo meets current requirements and gather all necessary documentation before your interview. For employment-based visa applicants, budget for the new $100,000 H-1B Proclamation Fee if filing after September 2025, and prepare for EAD fee increases starting January 2026. Stay informed by regularly checking the Visa Bulletin and monitoring your designated embassy's wait times to avoid delays in your immigration journey.
--- **Sources:** - [Immigration: Recent Changes and New Regulations - Holland & Knight](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/11/immigration-recent-changes-and-new-regulations) - [US Tightens Rules on Where Visa Applicants Can Interview - Boundless](https://www.boundless.com/blog/us-tightens-rules-on-where-immigrant-visa-applicants-can-interview) - [This Week in Immigration: November 21, 2025 - Boundless](https://www.boundless.com/blog/boundless-weekly-immigration-news) - [Immigration Update - November 24, 2025 - Lexology](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=fb38194f-5393-4fe7-bf3d-016821d11bf7) - [Visa Bulletin For December 2025 - U.S. Department of State](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-december-2025.html)