In a move to streamline visa appointments and reduce consulate shopping, the U.S. Department of State has updated its policy, effective September 6, 2025, stipulating that nonimmigrant visa (NIV) seekers – whether tourist, student, or business professionals- must now schedule their interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence or nationality, with minimal exceptions.
US Visa becomes more complicated for people in India (amongst other countries)
For those who haven’t kept track, there has been a shift in the way U.S. visas are being issued or renewed. First, there was a curtailment of the time period during which you are eligible for a Dropbox renewal of the US Visa. Then, a new Visa Integrity Fee of USD 250 will be charged, effective October 1, 2025. And now, this new advisory states that you have to apply for the visa only where you live or where you are a citizen.
US Visa (Image Generated by ChatGPT)
The new notification, published here, removes the flexibility that people had exploited over the years to travel to another country and obtain a quicker appointment and visa compared to their own country. Here is the notification that warns against doing this in the future.
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 non-immigrant 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 non-immigrant 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 non-immigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled.
- 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.
For instance, in India, the queues reached over 900 days at one point, and the wait time remains high even now. Here is how long the State Department says is the current time for a B1/B2 Visa appointment at the Indian Consulates:
- Chennai: 9 months
- Kolkata: 5 months
- New Delhi: 4.5 months
- Mumbai: 3.5 months
- Hyderabad: 3.5 months
This is bad news for those who previously could “consulate-shop” or choose a post based on shorter appointment queues; this change ends that flexibility. Now, the path is clear: apply where you live, or where your passport is issued.
Bottomline
Appointments to obtain a US visa have been scarce since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many got around it by simply flying out to Thailand or another location and securing an appointment there. This latest policy clamps down on wiggle-room, bringing structure at the expense of spontaneity. For some, that’s a trade-off worth making; for others, especially in high-traffic locales, it’s a hurdle.
Safe travels – and may that visa appointment pop up sooner than expected.
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A well-written and timely article, Ajay! This update from the U.S. Department of State will definitely impact many applicants who relied on third-country appointments for faster processing. It highlights the growing need for proper visa guidance and early planning. At Blessing Abroad Study, we always advise our students to stay updated with the latest immigration rules and apply from their home country to avoid complications or loss of fees. Your coverage clearly explains the importance of understanding such policy shifts before starting any U.S. visa application journey.
DEAR MR AJAY
Why don’t you start a forum or whatsapp group where the members can trade in their loyalty benifits,vouchers or any other privilege. Shall appreciate speaking to you on this issue
@Pramod, trading of loyalty benefits is in contravention of the Terms of Service of the programmes, so we don’t support such a move.
This new US visa policy will certainly make life harder for Indians who relied on third-country appointments to get faster B1/B2 visas. With longer wait times in major cities like Chennai and New Delhi, planning urgent business trips or family visits has become more challenging. At XIPHIAS Immigration, we frequently guide clients through such policy changes, helping them prepare documents and plan applications well in advance to avoid unnecessary delays. While this move may standardize processing, it also emphasizes the need for careful planning and awareness of visa timelines.