In a September 6, 2025 news posting, the Department of State announced that effective immediately, "[a]pplicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence," and that "[a]pplicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency."
The language used in the announcement would clearly apply to individuals who are required to appear for a personal visa interview, but it is unclear whether this policy affects eligibility for third-country processing of renewal visa applications where the applicant is exempt from the in-person interview requirement, but even if it doesn't, effective September 2, 2025 the visa interview waiver policy was drastically limited to apply only to B visa applicants (see NAFSA's page on DOS visa interview waiver policy).
"Existing nonimmigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled," according to the announcement, and DOS says that "[r]are exceptions may also be made for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons."
Note, however, that the DOS announcement states that visa applicants "should" schedule their appointments at a U.S. consulate in their country of nationality or residence, rather than saying they "must." In note further down in the announcement, though, DOS warns:
- In the section discussing visa application fees, DOS states, "Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa."
- In the section discussing appointment availability, DOS states, "Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment."
This makes the announcement ambiguous. In any case, some consulates may begin refusing to accept third-country national appointments, as the decision to do so is discretionary (see the background note below).
The announcement also lists "Designated Locations for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing" for nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations.
On August 28, 2025 DOS had made a similar announcement for immigrant visa applicants.
As background, note that DOS regulations do not require consulates to accept visa applications from third-country nationals... it is a matter of discretion. The general rule at 22 CFR 41.101(a)(1) provides visa applicants "shall make application at a consular office having jurisdiction over the alien's place of residence," and that they may apply at a consulate where they are "physically present but not resident" only when the consular office "has agreed, as a matter of discretion or at the direction of the Department, to accept the alien's application."
Prior to the September 6, 2025 policy, the Department of State had generally encouraged applicants to apply at any consulate in the world as a way of managing visa appointment demands. The new policy, in conjunction with the gutting of the visa interview waiver program, will greatly impact the availability of third-country national processing of visa appointments. International offices should inform prospective travelers of these changes. For example, it will impact anyone hoping to renew a visa in a third country, whether the travel is for pleasure or business.