US Tightens Visa Rules: Interview Must Be in Home Country or Legal Residence

Sept 10, 2025 - In a continued tightening of visa rules, the United States (US) has now changed its non-immigrant visa interview policy. Applicants must attend their visa interview in their home country or legal country of residence.

This means that if you are an Indian citizen planning to travel to the US, you will no longer be allowed to appear for B1/B2 (business or tourist) visa interviews in third countries like Thailand, Singapore or Germany, as was previously possible.

This new rule came into effect on September 2, and applies to all applicants seeking tourist, business, student or temporary worker visas.

The new visa rules will be implemented globally, according to a statement released by the US State Department on September 6.

"Effective immediately, the Department of State has updated instructions for non-immigrant visa applicants... (they) should schedule visa interview appointments at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence," the statement said.

Citizens from nations where the US government does not provide regular non-immigrant visa services can submit applications at a specific US Embassy or Consulate, unless they are living in a different country, as clarified by the US government. This provision is relevant for people from nations such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Chad, Russia, Iran and others.

This flexibility was given earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic when US visa interview wait times in India became extremely long — in some cases, up to three years. To speed up the process, many Indians would travel to countries like Bangkok, Singapore or Frankfurt to attend their visa interviews and then return. This option is no longer available.

With Media Inputs

#USVisa #VisaInterviewRule #B1B2Visa #IndiaUSTravel #USImmigration #NonImmigrantVisa #VisaPolicyChange #USVisa2025 #StudentVisa #TouristVisa #BusinessVisa #IndianCitizens