Starting September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will require most nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants to schedule interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates in their country of residence or nationality. Exceptions apply for some diplomatic, humanitarian, or emergency cases. This change affects travelers from countries with limited or no routine visa services.
Table of Contents
- What Changed in September 2025
- Where Should You Apply?
- List of Designated Locations
- What Applicants Need to Know
- Who Is Exempt?
- Helpful Tips and Resources
What Changed in September 2025
The U.S. Department of State now requires nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply in their country of nationality or country of residence. This applies to all temporary visa categories, including tourist (B-2), student (F or M), and work visas (H-1B, L-1, O, etc.). If your country does not offer routine NIV services, you must apply in a designated third country, listed below.
Where Should You Apply?
You must schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in:
- Your country of nationality, or
- Your country of legal residence, where you can prove ongoing residence.
Applying outside these countries may cause delays or denials. Visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
List of Designated Locations
For applicants from countries without routine visa services, here are the designated locations for processing nonimmigrant visas:
| Nationality | Designated Visa Location(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Islamabad |
| Belarus | Vilnius, Warsaw |
| Chad | Yaoundé |
| Cuba | Georgetown |
| Haiti | Nassau |
| Iran | Dubai |
| Libya | Tunis |
| Niger | Ouagadougou |
| Russia | Astana, Warsaw |
| Somalia | Nairobi |
| South Sudan | Nairobi |
| Sudan | Cairo |
| Syria | Amman |
| Ukraine | Krakow, Warsaw |
| Venezuela | Bogota |
| Yemen | Riyadh |
| Zimbabwe | Johannesburg |
What Applicants Need to Know
Residence Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate that they are legally residing in the country where they are applying, unless they are using in their country of nationality.
Visa Fees Are Non-Refundable
If your application is delayed or denied due to an incorrect location choice, the application fee will not be refunded or transferred.
Appointment Wait Times Vary
Appointments may be significantly delayed when applying outside your home country. Check appointment wait times in advance.
Existing Appointments
If you already have a scheduled interview, it will generally not be canceled under the new guidance.
Who Is Exempt?
This guidance does not apply to the following visa categories:
- A, G, C-2, C-3, or NATO visas
- Diplomatic or official visas (any classification)
- Visas related to travel under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement
Rare exceptions may be made for humanitarian, medical emergencies, or cases involving U.S. foreign policy interests.
Helpful Tips and Resources
- Check current wait times at: Visa Appointment Wait Times
- Locate U.S. embassies at: usembassy.gov
- Review specific embassy procedures and requirements on their official websites
Final Thoughts
The State Department’s 2025 update changes where and how nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule their interviews. To avoid delays or denials, apply in your country of nationality or legal residence—or use the correct designated location if your country does not offer routine services.
For complex immigration situations, we recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney or contacting the U.S. Embassy directly.
Schedule a Consultation with an Immigration Lawyer
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We Can Help!
If you have questions regarding U.S. Immigration, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
