As of November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State requires that immigrant visa applicants generally interview in the consular district of their country of residence or, if they request it, in their country of nationality. This change is intended to standardize the process and reduce logistical complications.

Key Details of the New Policy

• Primary Interview Location: The National Visa Center (NVC) will now automatically schedule immigrant visa interviews in the country where the applicant resides.
• Alternative Option: Applicants can request to have their interview scheduled in their country of nationality instead.
• Exceptions: Limited exceptions may be granted for specific reasons, such as humanitarian or medical emergencies. In these cases, the NVC may request additional information to verify the circumstances.
• Transferring an Appointment: If an applicant wishes to transfer their case to a new consular district after an appointment has been scheduled, they must contact the National Visa Center using their public inquiry form.
• Designated Processing Posts: For applicants residing in countries where routine visa operations are suspended, the Department of State has designated specific alternate processing posts. For example, applicants from Venezuela must apply in Bogotá, and those from Syria must apply in Amman or Beirut.
• Diversity Visa Applicants: These new rules also apply to applicants for the Diversity Visa (DV-2026) program.
• Who is not affected: This policy does not affect applicants who have chosen to adjust their status by filing Form I-485.

This update can be found here.