DOS Tightens Rules: Visa Applicants Must Interview in Country of Residence or Nationality

Summary

• Effective November 1, 2025, immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants must interview in the consular district of their residence or, if requested, in their country of nationality.
• Limited exceptions may be granted for humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons.
• Designated immigrant visa processing posts have been identified for applicants from countries without U.S. consular operations.

Introduction

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced new rules governing where immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants must complete their consular interviews. Starting November 1, 2025, applicants will be required to interview in the consular district of their residence, or, if requested, their country of nationality. According to the State Department, this policy is intended to standardize procedures, ensure consistency in visa adjudications, and improve the management of transfer requests.

Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas allow individuals to move to the United States permanently, typically as family-sponsored or employment-based applicants. Historically, applicants sometimes had flexibility in selecting their interview location, with some requesting post-to-post transfers for logistical reasons such as proximity to family or easier travel.

Under the August 28, 2025, guidance, immigrant visa applicants must now interview in their place of residence or nationality. Exceptions are limited and must be approved based on humanitarian or medical needs, or in rare cases involving foreign policy considerations.

To account for countries where the U.S. does not operate consular services, DOS has designated specific posts. For example, Venezuelan applicants will interview in Bogotá, while Yemeni applicants will be processed in Djibouti. For Iranians, designated posts include Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Yerevan. Applicants from Russia may be directed to Warsaw, Almaty, or Tashkent, depending on the visa category.

Non-Immigrant Visas

Nonimmigrant visas cover temporary stays in the United States for purposes such as tourism (B-1/B-2), study (F-1), cultural exchange (J-1), and temporary work (H-1B, L-1). While the August 2025 announcement primarily focused on immigrant visas, the State Department has confirmed that the same residence or nationality rule will now guide interview scheduling for nonimmigrant applicants as well.

In practice, this means nonimmigrant visa applicants will generally need to apply in their country of residence. If an applicant requests to interview elsewhere, additional documentation may be required to justify the choice, and approval will be granted only under limited exceptions.

Background

Immigrant and non-immigrant visas are processed through U.S. consular posts around the world. Traditionally, applicants were assigned interviews at posts based on multiple factors, including availability of services and individual circumstances. In some cases, applicants requested transfers to other posts, often for reasons of convenience, family support, or logistical ease.

Under the new guidance announced on August 28, 2025, this system will be standardized. Starting November 1, 2025, immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants must interview in their country of residence or, if preferred, their country of nationality. This represents a departure from prior practices, where applicants sometimes had more flexibility in choosing interview locations.

The Department of State has also established designated posts for applicants residing in countries without U.S. consular operations. For example, Iranian applicants may interview in Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Yerevan; Russian applicants may be directed to Warsaw, Almaty, or Tashkent, depending on the visa type; and Somali applicants will interview in Nairobi

With immediate effect, the Department requires all post-to-post transfer requests for immigrant visas to be submitted to the National Visa Center, regardless of whether the case has already been forwarded to a consular post for scheduling. The NVC will manage transfer requests, and consular posts will no longer handle these directly.

Exceptions to this new rule will be limited. Humanitarian and medical emergencies, as well as specific foreign policy considerations, may justify approval for interviews outside the applicant’s residence or nationality post.

This policy will also extend to applicants for Diversity Visas in the DV-2026 program year.

Key Takeaways

1. Mandatory Interview Locations
   From November 1, 2025, both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants must attend their interviews in the consular district corresponding to their residence, or, if requested, their country of nationality. This marks a shift from prior practic,e where applicants sometimes chose more convenient posts.
2. Centralized Transfer Process
   The National Visa Center now handles all post-to-post transfer requests for immigrant visas exclusively. Applicants should not contact consular sections directly regarding transfers; requests must be submitted using the NVC’s Public Inquiry Form.
3. Designated Posts for Immigrant Visas
   Applicants living in countries without functioning U.S. consulates have designated locations for interviews. Examples include:

• Iran: Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Yerevan
• Russia:Warsaw, Almaty (IR-5), Tashkent (IR-5)
• Somalia and South Sudan: Nairobi
• Venezuela:Bogotá
  This list ensures continuity of services where consular operations are suspended.

4. Limited Exceptions
   Exceptions will be rare. Humanitarian emergencies, urgent medical treatment, or foreign policy considerations may justify approval for interviews outside residence or nationality posts.
5. Diversity Visa Program
   For DV-2026, applicants must also comply with the new interview location requirements. This change removes prior flexibility in selecting consular locations for DV cases.
6. Impact on Nonimmigrant Applicants
   Tourist, student, and work visa applicants are expected to apply in their place of residence. Requests to interview in a third country will require additional justification and are unlikely to be approved except under the limited exceptions listed above.

Conclusion

The Department of State’s revised consular interview rules, effective November 1, 2025, introduce standardized procedures for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants. By requiring interviews in the applicant’s country of residence or nationality and centralizing transfer requests through the NVC, the policy aims to strengthen oversight and reduce administrative inconsistencies. While humanitarian and medical exceptions exist, most applicants will be bound by these new requirements. The policy also extends to Diversity Visa applicants beginning in 2026. Individuals applying for U.S. visas should prepare accordingly, especially those in countries without U.S. consular services who must attend interviews at designated posts.