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On Sept. 6, 2025, the announced that, effective immediately, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including F, J, and H-1B visas, should schedule visa interview appointments only in their country of nationality or residence. In other words, applicants should not schedule visa appointments in countries where they are neither citizens nor residents.

According to the DOS announcement:

• Anyone who applies for a visa in their country of residence, not their country of nationality (citizenship), will be required to provide proof of residency.
• Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant 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.”
• Nationals (citizens) of countries without routine U.S. nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated .
• Applicants seeking appointments outside their country of nationality or residence are likely to experience substantially longer wait times.

Therefore, ISSS strongly recommends that nonimmigrant visa applicants schedule interviews only in their country of citizenship or residence, not in countries they are visiting for personal or professional reasons.

ISSS advises you to read carefully our General Travel Advisory before planning any international travel and departing the United States. This new requirement and the recent change requiring nearly all applicants be interviewed for a visa, will likely increase wait times for visa interview appointments and processing times, especially in countries with high volumes. The provides current wait times for visa interviews at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

ISSS at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ is here to support you. We want you to feel welcomed, respected, and valued in our community! Please reach out to us if we can be of assistance.