On September 6, 2025, the U.S Department of State (DOS) announced that effective immediately nonimmigrant visa applicants should apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of citizenship or country of residence, or face denials or delays if applying for a visa in a third country.
This announcement supersedes previous DOS guidance on visa application requirements. Prior to this September 6, 2025 policy, the DOS had generally encouraged applicants to apply at any consulate in the world as a way of managing visa appointment demands.
As this new rule now impacts where you may need to apply for a visa, please review the consular post’s visa application requirements very carefully and plan accordingly before traveling internationally. We are monitoring developments to see how this new policy is applied in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we recommend booking visa appointments in your country of residence, although it may still be possible to book an appointment in a third country with delays. We will update this guidance as we see how the policy is implemented in fact.
DOS stated in this announcement that existing nonimmigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled. Visa applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if selecting a consular post based on residency.
This 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.
Additional resources to consult when scheduling visa appointment include:
- Wait times for nonimmigrant interview appointments, which vary by location. Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.
- Embassy and consulate websites for detailed information about visa application processes and procedures, visa interview requirements, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.
ISSO recommends that those under Columbia University's visa sponsorship review guidance on Visas and Travel and contact ISSO with any questions or concerns.
