On Sept. 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that, effective immediately, all nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule visa interview appointments in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying. The DOS also stated that any applicants applying for a visa outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa. We believe this update will eliminate the practice of allowing third-country nationals (TCN) nonresidents from applying for U.S. visas in the neighboring countries of Canada and Mexico.

Those countries where the U.S. government is not currently conducting nonimmigrant visa interviews must apply at the designated embassy or consulate listed below, unless they have obtained a residence elsewhere.

Designated Locations for Nonimmigrant Visa Processing

Applicants should note the following:

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate their residence in the country where they are applying.
• Applicants who schedule interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence may not qualify for a visa and those fees paid will not be refunded or transferred.
• Appointments made prior to this announcement on Sept. 6, 2025, should not be subject to this new rule.

For more information about this change, please visit Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Their Country of Residence - September 6, 2025. Please reach out to your assigned RIS attorney with any questions. We will provide additional updates as they become available.