Applicants seeking U.S. nonimmigrant visas are advised to schedule their interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. According to official guidance, individuals who choose to schedule interviews outside their country of nationality or residence may encounter increased difficulty in qualifying for a visa, and application fees paid in such cases will not be refunded.
For nationals from countries where routine nonimmigrant visa operations are not being conducted by the U.S. government, applications must be made at the designated embassy or consulate unless the applicant resides elsewhere. The relevant embassy or consulate website provides information on designated locations for these applications.
Wait times for nonimmigrant visa interview appointments differ depending on location. Those applying outside their country of nationality or residence should anticipate longer wait periods.
In regard to immigrant visas, effective immediately, applicants wishing to transfer their case to a different consular district after an appointment has been scheduled by the National Visa Center must now request this transfer through the National Visa Center’s Public Inquiry Form rather than contacting the consular section directly.
Exceptions to this process may occur in rare circumstances at the discretion of the consular section or upon direction from the Department, specifically for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.
Applicants from countries with suspended or reduced immigrant visa operations are expected to conduct interviews in their country of residency, nationality, or at a designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate unless extraordinary circumstances apply.
These procedural updates will also affect Diversity Visa applicants participating in the DV-2026 program year.