New U.S. Visa Interview Policy Could Affect Your Travel Plans

The U.S. Department of State has announced a change that could affect many international students and scholars applying for U.S. visas. As of September 6, 2025, applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including F, M, J, H1B, and B1/B2, must schedule their visa interviews in their country of nationality or residence. See the official announcement here.

What Changed

Previously, students could sometimes schedule their visa interviews in other countries if those embassies or consulates had shorter wait times or they were travelling. For students from countries with long backlogs, this flexibility often helped them get visas more quickly and for international travelers it helped avoid an extra trip home to renew their visa. Now, that option appears to be gone. 

Why This Matters

Without the ability to apply for a visa in a third country, you may face:

• Increased costs if your visa is expiring and you had not intended to travel to your home country as a part of international travel. Remember to check with your international students and scholars office prior to travel about automatic visa revalidation for travel to Canada, Mexico or the U.S. contiguous islands and visa renewal if travelling elsewhere.
• Longer waits for visa appointments in your home country are possible, so remember to plan ahead.
• Less flexibility if plans change. Rescheduling could be harder, and missing the first appointment may cause significant delays.
• Challenges during emergencies. If you lose your visa while abroad, you may no longer be able to replace it in a nearby country and might need to return home.

Key Things Students Should Know

• You may need to prove residence if you’re scheduling an appointment outside of your passport country. Simply being present in a country may not be enough, but details are still unclear.
• Some countries have designated alternatives
  • Iranian nationals: must apply in Dubai
  • Russian citizens: may apply in Astana or Warsaw
  • Ukrainian citizens: may apply in Krakow or Warsaw
• Fees are not refundable. If you schedule in the wrong place and cannot show residence or nationality, your visa fee will not be refunded or transferred.

What You Can Do Now

• Plan ahead. If you’re a new student or scholar to the U.S., book your visa appointment as soon as you receive your I-20 or DS-2019.
• Double-check before booking. Make sure you’re applying in the correct location based on your nationality or residence.
• Be prepared. Treat your first interview as your best chance. Consider preparing with resources such as ZF Visa Guides, Visas 101, or Argo Visa.
• Expect possible delays. Students from countries with long wait times may face extra challenges, consider how this could affect your travel or program start date.
• Stay informed. This policy is still developing. Keep checking the U.S. Department of State website and follow updates from your school’s international office.

Bottom Line

Visa interviews must now be scheduled in your country of nationality or residence. This change could make the process more complicated, but with early planning and careful preparation, you can put yourself in the best position for success. Remember to stay in close contact with your university’s international student and scholar office. They are best qualified to guide you through any questions you may have.