Overview

• Effective immediately, applicants must book interviews in their country of nationality or legal residence, with designated regional posts assigned for nationals of countries without routine services.
• Existing nonimmigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled, according to the State Department.
• Those who try to apply outside their home or resident country should expect stricter qualification reviews, significantly longer waits, and non‑refundable, non‑transferable fees.
• Applicants relying on residency must prove legal residence where they apply, and the update supersedes previous guidance on where to file.
• Exemptions cover diplomatic, NATO and UN‑related travel with rare humanitarian or foreign‑policy exceptions, and the change aligns with the recent reinstatement of broad in‑person interview requirements that are expected to lengthen waits at high‑demand posts such as in India.