The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has expanded its immigrant visa (IV) interview location policy, making country-of-residence processing the standard worldwide for most immigrant visa applicants.
This development builds on an earlier policy that applied only to applicants from certain countries and designated processing posts. Under updated Department of State guidance, immigrant visa applicants are now generally required to interview in the consular district corresponding to their place of residence or, if requested, in their country of nationality, subject to limited exceptions.
Effective November 1, 2025, the National Visa Center (NVC) began scheduling immigrant visa applicants in their country of residence or, upon request, their country of nationality.
What Is Changing?
Under the updated policy:
- Most immigrant visa applicants will be scheduled for interviews in their country of residence.
- Applicants may request processing in their country of nationality.
- Applicants residing in countries where the United States is not conducting routine immigrant visa operations should apply through their designated immigrant visa processing post unless they are nationals of another country where visa services remain available.
- Interview location requests outside an applicant’s country of residence or nationality may require additional review and documentation.
Important Information for Applicants
Existing Appointments Will Generally Remain Unchanged
The Department of State has indicated that existing immigrant visa appointments generally will not be canceled or rescheduled because of the new policy.
Transfer Requests Must Be Submitted Through the NVC
If an applicant wishes to move an immigrant visa case to another processing post after an interview has already been scheduled, the applicant must contact the National Visa Center.
Applicants should not contact the embassy or consulate directly and should instead use the NVC’s Public Inquiry Form.
Proof of Residence May Be Required
Applicants requesting an interview location other than their assigned processing post or country of nationality may be asked to provide additional evidence showing that the requested location is their actual place of residence or demonstrating that an exception is appropriate.
Exceptions Will Be Limited
The Department of State states that only rare exceptions may be granted for:
- Humanitarian reasons
- Medical emergencies
- Foreign policy considerations
Diversity Visa Applicants
The Department of State has confirmed that these requirements will be applied to Diversity Visa applicants in future DV program years.
What’s Next
Applicants should ensure that the National Visa Center has accurate information regarding their current residence and nationality, as these factors will now play a central role in determining interview location.
Individuals considering relocating while their immigrant visa case is pending should be aware that requests to interview in a third country may face increased scrutiny and may require additional evidence.
Applicants residing in countries without routine U.S. visa services should review the Department of State’s designated immigrant visa processing post guidance before making travel arrangements or preparing for their interview.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.