The US Department of State has announced a major policy change requiring non-immigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews strictly in their country of nationality or residence, ending the long-standing practice of applying across borders.
The United States Department of State has introduced a sweeping change to its non-immigrant visa application process, mandating that applicants schedule interviews only “at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.”
The directive, issued on September 6, 2025, supersedes all previous guidance and is effective immediately. According to the Department, “Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.”
A list of designated locations was published for applicants from conflict-affected or diplomatically restricted states, including Afghanistan (Islamabad), Belarus (Vilnius, Warsaw), Cuba (Georgetown), Iran (Dubai), Russia (Astana, Warsaw), Venezuela (Bogota), and Yemen (Riyadh).
The update comes with three key caveats. First, “Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying.” Second, those applying outside their country of nationality or residence risk visa denial, with the Department warning that “fees paid for such applications will not be refunded and cannot be transferred.” Third, appointment wait times outside an applicant’s home country are expected to be “significantly longer.”
Existing appointments “will generally not be cancelled,” and exceptions may apply in cases of humanitarian need, medical emergencies, or foreign policy concerns.
For Nigerians, who have long sought interview slots in neighboring countries when faced with delays in Lagos or Abuja, the change represents a significant shift in navigating an already challenging process.