The US has tightened its visa process, making it tougher for applicants to bypass long wait times. A new rule now requires all non-immigrant visa (NIV) applicants including those seeking student, tourism, and temporary work visas; to attend interviews strictly in their country of citizenship or residence.
“Applicants for US non-immigrant visas should schedule their interview appointments at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence,” the US administration said in a notification. The rule takes effect immediately.
The move covers all NIV categories, including B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), student visas, and temporary work permits.
Applicants trying to schedule interviews outside their home country may face added scrutiny and could be disqualified. Application fees in such cases will not be refunded or transferred, the State Department clarified.
While visa wait times already vary by location, the new restriction means those applying outside their home country will likely face significantly longer delays. Existing appointments, however, will generally not be cancelled.
The policy is expected to hit Indian applicants particularly hard. With India facing one of the longest visa backlogs in the world post-Covid, many applicants have been opting to apply from third countries like Thailand, Singapore, Germany, or Brazil to secure faster slots. That option is now largely closed.
For Indians — already waiting months, in some cases over a year — the new rule adds yet another hurdle to securing a US visa.
