The US State Department announced on September 6th that starting immediately, there will be a comprehensive adjustment to the rules for non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications. All applicants will be required to schedule an interview at a US embassy or consulate in their home country or country of residence. This policy aims to simplify the visa process, address the backlog of global applications, and consider security concerns.
According to the latest regulations, applicants from countries where routine visa services are not provided by the US government must go to designated US embassies or consulates for processing. For example, Afghan applicants must interview in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, Belarusian applicants must travel to Vilnius in Lithuania or Warsaw in Poland, and Cuban applicants must go to Georgetown, Guyana. Russian applicants are to process in Astana, Kazakhstan or Warsaw, and Ukrainian applicants in Krakow or Warsaw, Poland.
Other countries involved also include Haiti, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and others. Applicants from these countries must also go to a US embassy or consulate in a neighboring country. This arrangement mainly applies to conflict-ridden countries or regions under diplomatic restrictions.
This new rule does not apply to diplomatic, official, or international organization-related visas (such as A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas), and does not cover visa applications to the US under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement. Exceptions may be granted for special humanitarian or medical emergencies and diplomatic policy needs.
The US State Department reminds that applicants must prove their place of residence aligns with the application location, and if applying in a third country, the approval process may be more challenging. In addition, once fees are paid, they are non-refundable or transferable. Wait times for interviews at different embassies vary greatly, with applicants from countries other than their own or country of residence often facing longer waits.
For those who have already scheduled their appointments, they will generally not be canceled. The announcement highlights that there continues to be a backlog of visa applications in multiple locations worldwide, and this policy adjustment aims to improve processing efficiency and enhance the standardization of visa reviews.
For years, citizens from certain countries have chosen to apply for visas in neighboring countries due to long wait times for interviews in their home countries. With the implementation of the new regulations, such cross-border applications will face stricter limitations.
The US State Department recommends that applicants closely monitor the official websites of embassies and consulates worldwide to confirm the latest visa requirements, application procedures, and current service status. This regulation supersedes all previous guidelines regarding non-immigrant visa interview locations.