Visa Applicants Must Apply in Country of Citizenship or Residence

in Immigration Actions Trump 2.0
September 8th, 2025

The US Department of State (USDOS) announced on September 6, 2025 that effective immediately, US visa applicants should apply at a consular post in their country of citizenship or country of residence or face increased denials if they apply in a third country. New guidance states that visa applicants 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.

Applicants should note the following:

  • Residence Requirement: Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying, if the place of application is based on their residency.
  • Fees: 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. Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.
  • Appointment Availability: Wait times for nonimmigrant interview appointments vary by location. Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.
  • Existing Appointments: Existing nonimmigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled.
  • Visa Renewals: Nonimmigrants seeking to renew a visa in the same visa category must schedule an in-person appointment.
  • Exceptions: This guidance does not apply to applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas, applicants for diplomatic-type or official-type visas (regardless of classification), or applicants for any visa for travel covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement. Rare exceptions may also be made for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.

Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the specifically designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.

Designated Locations for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing

NATIONAL OF DESIGNATED LOCATIONS(S)
Afghanistan Islamabad
Belarus Vilnius, Warsaw
Chad Yaoundé
Cuba Georgetown
Haiti Nassau
Iran Dubai
Libya Tunis
Niger Ouagadougou
Russia Astana, Warsaw
Somalia Nairobi
South Sudan Nairobi
Sudan Cairo
Syria Amman
Ukraine Krakow, Warsaw
Venezuela Bogota
Yemen Riyadh
Zimbabwe Johannesburg

Applicants should check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.

This supersedes previous guidance on visa application requirements, including designated visa processing locations. Please contact the ISSO if you have any questions.