Can I Do My Immigrant Visa Interview in Third Country or Must It Be County of Citizenship or Residence? — New U.S. Rule Effective November 1, 2025

Quick Answer:

Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will generally schedule immigrant-visa interviews in the consular district for your country of residence — or, if you request, your country of nationality. Routine third-country interviews (in a nation where you neither reside nor hold nationality) will no longer be allowed except in limited situations, such as where local U.S. consular services are suspended or unavailable.

Richard T. Herman, Esq.

“This rule ends the era of shopping for faster appointments abroad. From now on, applicants must expect to interview where they live — or in their nationality country — unless they qualify under rare exceptions. Build your visa strategy around your local post’s rules, not shortcuts. Always confirm your applicant’s assigned consular district before making any plans.”

What the New Rule Says

In an announcement published by the Department of State on August 28, 2025, the government confirmed that beginning November 1, 2025, most immigrant-visa applicants must attend interviews in the country of residence, or — at their request — in the country of nationality. The change is part of an effort to standardize processing and reduce forum shopping among consulates and consular posts.

Under this policy:

• The National Visa Center** (NVC)** will assign cases based on the applicant’s residence, not convenience, and the designated consulate is determined accordingly.
• Applicants may request scheduling in their nationality country as an alternative. When an applicant requests an interview outside their country of residence or nationality, the request must be approved by the Department of State, and specific procedures must be followed.
• Only narrow exceptions will allow interviews elsewhere, such as humanitarian, medical, or foreign-policy reasons.
• The rule applies to all immigrant-visa categories, including family-based, employment-based, and Diversity Visa (DV) applicants, and applies to all immigrant visa applicants, including those seeking lawful permanent resident status.
• All immigrant visa applicants are generally required to interview in their country of nationality or in the consular district designated for their place of principal residence.

This announcement is available on the official travel.state.gov news page, and detailed practitioner updates were published by Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) and Boundless Immigration.

The new rule clarifies that consular posts are responsible for processing applications within their jurisdiction, and that DOS regulations govern these assignments. DOS states also provide guidance for couples or families residing in different consular districts. These changes impact immigration services by standardizing procedures across consular posts and ensuring consistent application of the rules.

Understanding “Country of Residence” vs. “Country of Nationality”

• Country of residence means the country where you actually live and maintain verifiable ties (employment, lease, utilities, or tax filings).
• Country of nationality means your citizenship country.
• If you hold multiple nationalities, you may request scheduling in one nationality country, but not in unrelated countries.
• Third-country interviews (in neither residence nor nationality countries) are no longer permitted unless the post is specifically designated due to suspended services.
• You will need to provide proof of your residence, such as valid visas, lease agreements, utility bills, or employment letters. The applicant’s place of residence or nationality determines eligibility for the interview location, and documentation may include a passport endorsement with the place of birth.
• Translation requirements: All supporting documents not in English must have a certified English translation.

NIW US and Envoy Global note that this rule formalizes what many consulates had already begun enforcing informally in 2024–2025.

Can You Still Do a Third-Country Interview?

In most cases, no.

The DOS now limits third-country scheduling to extraordinary cases:

• No local consular services: If your residence country lacks immigrant-visa operations (for example, Afghanistan, Haiti, Eritrea), your case will be sent to a designated immigrant-visa processing post chosen by DOS. In countries where the U.S. is not conducting routine visa operations, applicants will be routed to designated posts.
• Humanitarian or medical emergency: Applicants with urgent or life-threatening reasons may request an exception through the NVC.
• Foreign-policy or national-interest reasons: Rarely, DOS may assign special locations for political or security considerations.
• Exceptions require significant documentation and approval from the NVC or the consular section.

Nonimmigrant visa operations may also be affected by these changes.

The EIG Law Advisory explains that convenience, faster processing, or personal preference will no longer qualify.

If you already have a third-country interview scheduled before November 1, 2025, it will likely proceed — but future cases will be restricted to residence or nationality posts. Please note that fees for third-country interviews are non-refundable if the appointment is canceled. Visa appointment and visa interview appointments must now be scheduled in accordance with the new rules, and exceptions are rare. The Department of State announced that effective September 6, 2025, third-country appointments will generally not be cancelled, but may be subject to increased scrutiny and longer wait times.

Richard T. Herman, Esq.:

If your country has no working U.S. consulate, expect to be routed to a regional post — not to a country of your choosing. This policy brings consistency, but it also means applicants must plan months ahead.”

 

Who Is Impacted

• Family-based immigrants who live abroad but planned to interview in a different country for convenience.
• Employment-based applicants who previously relied on faster regional posts for scheduling.
• Diversity Visa (DV) winners, especially those racing fiscal-year deadlines.
• Applicants in countries with suspended operations, including nationals of those countries and individuals holding Syrian travel documents, who will now be routed to designated posts rather than choosing freely.

Both Miller Mayer and BAL confirm that this change affects all IV categories handled by NVC.

What You Should Do Now

1. Confirm your residence post. Use the U.S. Visa portal to identify which consulate serves your domicile.
2. Check if your country has active IV services. If suspended, find your designated processing post.
3. If applicable, request nationality-country scheduling. Do this early through NVC’s Public Inquiry Form and provide evidence of nationality.
4. Avoid unsanctioned third-country scheduling. You risk cancellation and lost fees.
5. Gather proof of residence. Have documents ready in case NVC or your post requires verification.
6. Budget for new travel plans. Designated posts may be in another region; costs could rise.
7. Track local wait times. The Visa Wait Time Tool can help estimate delays. Note: Under new guidance from the Department of State, applicants can no longer seek shorter wait times by scheduling interviews in third countries; you must apply at your designated post based on nationality or residence, even if wait times are longer.
8. Complete a medical exam. You must complete a medical exam with an embassy-approved panel physician in the country of your interview.
9. Prepare required documents. Bring original or certified copies of documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police certificates to your interview.

Implications for Applicants

• Family-based: Couples living separately should prepare to handle paperwork and travel for the residence-based interview.
• Employment-based: Employers should plan assignments with visa-location requirements in mind. Similar restrictions now apply to nonimmigrant visas, affecting temporary workers and students who must apply at designated U.S. embassies or consulates in their country of residence or nationality.
• Diversity Visa (DV): DV-2026 selectees must act quickly to ensure case readiness at the assigned post.
• Countries without services: Applicants in regions like Afghanistan, Yemen, or Syria will automatically be routed to regional posts.
• Travel and cost: Expect higher costs due to required travel to designated posts instead of flexible third-country options.
• Processing time: Some posts may see surges in volume, so submit documents and DS-260 forms early.
• Photo requirements: Applicants must bring two identical color photos that meet specific requirements to their appointment.

Interview Process Under the New Rule

The Department of State’s new policy, effective immediately, brings significant changes to the interview process for both immigrant visa applicants and nonimmigrant visa applicants. Under this guidance, visa applicants are now required to schedule their visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate located in their country of nationality or country of residence. This move is designed to streamline the visa interview process, reduce inconsistencies, and ensure that each applicant is processed within their assigned consular district.

For immigrant visa applicants, the National Visa Center will assign your case to the appropriate consular district based on your documented residence or, if you request, your country of nationality. Nonimmigrant visa applicants—including international students and temporary workers—must also schedule their visa interviews in their home country or the country where they legally reside. If you are physically present in a country but do not have established residency, scheduling a visa interview at a consular post in that country is possible only at the discretion of the consulate, and is not guaranteed.

Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, as consular officers may request additional information such as utility bills, lease agreements, or employment letters. Existing nonimmigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled under the new policy, but rare exceptions may be made for humanitarian or medical emergencies, or for foreign policy reasons. In such cases, applicants should contact the National Visa Center or the relevant consulate to request consideration under these limited exceptions.

If your country of nationality or residence does not have routine visa operations—such as in countries where U.S. consular services are suspended—the Department of State has designated alternative embassies or consulates for visa processing. It is essential to check the consulate’s website for the latest guidance on visa application requirements, interview scheduling, and any country-specific procedures.

International students, lawful permanent residents, and U.S. citizens planning to sponsor family members should pay close attention to these changes, as the new rule may result in longer wait times for visa appointments and could impact travel plans. The Department of State recommends that all visa applicants plan ahead, monitor official updates, and confirm their appointment status directly with the consulate or embassy to avoid unexpected delays or disruptions.

In summary, the new policy requires that visa interviews be scheduled in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence, with only limited exceptions for humanitarian or medical emergencies and foreign policy reasons. Staying informed and proactive is key—review the latest State Department guidance, gather all necessary documentation to demonstrate residence, and plan your travel and application timeline accordingly to ensure a smooth visa process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I live in Country A but am a citizen of Country B. Where will my interview be?
A: Your interview will be assigned to Country A (residence). You can request Country B (nationality), but not any other third country.

Q: I already booked a third-country interview for November — will it be cancelled?
A: Existing confirmed appointments are generally not cancelled, but you should verify with your consular post or NVC.

Q: My residence country has no U.S. consulate for immigrant visas. What now?
A: You’ll be directed to a designated immigrant-visa processing post assigned by DOS.

Q: Can I move my case for convenience or faster processing?
A: No. Convenience is not an approved reason under the new rule.

Q: Does this rule apply to Adjustment of Status inside the U.S.?
A: No. It applies only to consular processing abroad.

Law-Firm Comparison

Herman Legal Group stands out for its individualized immigrant-visa planning, balancing local realities with creative legal strategies to minimize disruption under the new rule.

Key Takeaways

• Starting November 1, 2025, DOS will require most immigrant-visa applicants to attend interviews in their country of residence, or in their country of nationality if requested.
• Third-country interviews will no longer be routinely permitted.
• Exceptions apply only where operations are suspended or for humanitarian/medical/foreign-policy reasons.
• Existing appointments usually remain valid; new scheduling flexibility will be extremely limited.
• Applicants should confirm their post, document residence, request nationality-based transfer if needed, and adjust travel/time expectations now.