A Major Change in Visa Processing
Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced that most nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule their interviews in their country of nationality or residence.
This represents a significant shift from prior practice, where many applicants could attend interviews at U.S. consulates in “third countries” such as Canada or Mexico. While limited exceptions remain, the default expectation is that applicants will now return home for visa stamping.
Who Is Affected?
- H-1B and L-1 Professionals: Workers accustomed to scheduling interviews in neighboring countries will now be expected to appear in their country of nationality or residence.
- Students and Exchange Visitors: F-1 and J-1 visa holders lose flexibility in securing appointments outside their home country.
- Tourists and Visitors: B-1/B-2 applicants must plan for longer wait times in home-country consulates.
Exceptions and Clarifications
- Limited Exceptions: Certain applicants, such as those applying for diplomatic or UN visas or in other humanitarian situations, may still qualify for third-country processing.
- Designated Posts: Nationals of countries without routine visa services will continue to be directed to designated consulates.
- Existing Appointments: The State Department has confirmed that previously scheduled appointments in third countries generally will not be canceled.
Why the Change Matters
- Longer Wait Times: Many home-country posts already have backlogs, which could extend timelines further.
- Higher Travel Costs: Applicants may need to budget for longer trips abroad to complete stamping.
- Employer Disruptions: U.S. businesses reliant on foreign professionals may experience interruptions when employees leave the U.S. for processing.
Practical Steps for Applicants
- Plan Ahead: Build extra time into travel plans, as home-country appointments may be limited.
- Coordinate with Employers or Schools: Employers and universities should anticipate delays and prepare supporting documents early.
- Check Post Guidance: Some consulates will still handle cases for nationals of countries without visa services—verify instructions before booking.
- Seek Legal Advice: Every case is unique. Professional guidance helps anticipate exceptions and reduce delays.
Our Perspective
This policy signals the government’s move toward tighter control of visa processing, emphasizing residence-based jurisdiction over applicant convenience. While intended to streamline operations, it creates new burdens for applicants who had relied on third-country processing as a practical workaround.
Our firm recommends clients review upcoming travel and renewal timelines now, assess possible exceptions, and prepare documentation in advance to minimize disruption.
Bottom Line
Applicants should now expect to process their non-immigrant visas primarily in their country of nationality or residence. Although exceptions exist and existing third-country appointments remain valid, the era of widespread third-country stamping is largely over.
Proactive planning will be essential for workers, students, and travelers to navigate this new reality with minimal disruption.
© Copyrights, 2025 Law Offices of Candice Zaguedoun P.A.
