USA Tightens Immigrant Visa Interview Location
Overview of the New immigrant visa interview location change Rule
The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant change to where immigrant visa applicants must attend their consular interviews. Effective November 1, 2025, all immigrant visa interviews will be scheduled in the U.S. embassy or consulate that serves the applicant’s country of residence, or, if the applicant specifically requests, in their country of nationality.
This means that the flexibility applicants previously had in choosing alternate interview locations will now be greatly restricted. The National Visa Center (NVC) will default to scheduling your interview in the consular district for your current residence, unless you ask to have it in your home country (nationality), and even that request may require justification.
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Who does this affect?
This policy change applies to all immigrant visa categories. That includes family-based and employment-based green card applicants, as well as winners of the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery (beginning with the DV-2026 program year). In other words, whether you are being sponsored by a relative or employer, or you’re a lucky DV lottery selectee, you will be subject to the new interview location rule.
This update is part of a broader trend of tightened U.S. immigration procedures in recent years. Immigration experts note that previously, some applicants engaged in “consulate shopping”, choosing a consulate in a different country hoping for shorter wait times or more convenient scheduling, but that flexibility will now largely end. Going forward, U.S. authorities want interviews tied more closely to an applicant’s personal ties (residence or nationality) as a measure of consistency and oversight.
Why This Change? (End of “Consulate Shopping”)
Under the prior practice, an immigrant visa applicant could sometimes request their interview to be in a third country if it promised a faster or easier process. For example, if your home country’s U.S. consulate had long backlogs, you might have asked to interview at a U.S. embassy in a neighboring country where wait times were shorter. This practice informally called “consulate shopping” was especially helpful for applicants whose local consulates were overloaded or for those who found it easier to travel to another country for personal reasons.
Starting November 2025, that option is being curtailed. All interviews will be anchored to where you live, or to your citizenship country if you request it. The State Department’s aim is to standardize and streamline the process by keeping cases within the proper jurisdiction. It’s also seen as part of a stricter immigration environment intended to increase oversight and prevent applicants from bypassing their local consular queues.
By eliminating most alternate venue requests, U.S. officials believe the system will be fairer and more predictable (though some applicants may disagree, as discussed below).
Is this a new idea? In practice, many applicants already interviewed in their country of residence as a default. The big change is removing the choice to easily pick a different interview location. Unless you fall under a narrow exception (such as an emergency) or you choose your nationality country, you won’t be able to select a random third-country post simply for convenience. For instance, if you are a citizen of Country A living in Country B, your interview will ordinarily be in Country B. You could request to have it in Country A (your home country) instead, but you generally cannot have it in Country C just because you prefer it or it’s faster. This marks a shift from previous years when such third-country interview requests were sometimes granted.
Key Details of the New Policy
- Interviews in Country of Residence (Default): The National Visa Center will schedule your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate that serves your current place of residence. This is now the default for all applicants. For example, if you are originally from Australia but living in Germany, your interview would typically be scheduled in Germany (since it’s your present residence).
- Option for Country of Nationality: If you prefer to interview in your country of nationality (which for many is the country of birth or citizenship), you can request that. The NVC will honor such requests if made explicitly, but may ask for proof that the location is indeed your home country or that you have a valid reason for that choice. Using the previous example, if you are an Australian citizen living in Germany, you could ask to have your interview in Australia instead. However, you’ll likely need to justify this request, since the new default is Germany in this case.
- No Other Third-Country Choices: Aside from the above (residence or nationality), you generally cannot choose another country’s consulate for your interview. The U.S. Department of State has made it clear that exceptions will be rare. The era of picking a consulate because it’s known to be faster or easier is essentially over.
- Rare Exceptions: Humanitarian or medical emergencies (and certain foreign policy considerations) may warrant exceptions to the rule. The State Department says it may make rare exceptions in urgent cases – for instance, if an applicant has a critical medical situation that requires them to be in a different country at the time of interview, or if U.S. foreign policy interests dictate flexibility. These are expected to be very limited. In practice, unless you have a truly urgent and compelling reason, you should plan to interview where you live.
- Countries with No U.S. Consular Services: If you reside in a country where the U.S. embassy or consulate is not conducting routine visa services (due to conflict, suspended operations, etc.), the State Department has assigned a specific alternate post for your interviews. It issued a list of designated processing posts for such cases. For example, Iranian residents will have their immigrant visas processed in Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Yerevan, since U.S. consulates are not operating in Iran. Similarly, Syrian residents are assigned to Amman (Jordan) or Beirut (Lebanon), and Venezuelan residents to Bogotá (Colombia). (See the U.S. State Department’s full list for other affected countries.) If you are living in one of these places, you should prepare to travel to the designated third country for your interview, as you likely won’t have an in-country option.
- Existing Appointments Are Honored: The State Department has indicated that any interview appointments already scheduled (before this new rule takes effect) will generally not be canceled or moved. In other words, if you already have your interview date and location set, you should be able to attend as planned. The goal is to avoid disrupting cases in progress. However, going forward, new appointments will adhere to the residence-based scheduling.
- Transferring Interviews (Post-Scheduling): If you absolutely need to change your interview location after the NVC has scheduled it, do not contact the consulate directly. Under the new guidelines, applicants who seek a post-to-post transfer must contact the NVC through their Public Inquiry Form. The NVC will require a valid reason and possibly evidence of your residence in the new location to approve a transfer. Directly emailing or calling a consulate to change your interview site is discouraged and likely won’t work – it may even delay your case if you try. Always go through NVC for such requests.
- Documentation Requirements: Be prepared to prove your current residence if it’s not obvious. Because the new policy ties your case to where you live, the NVC might ask for documents to verify your address if, for example, you request an interview outside the country you initially put on your application. This could include rental agreements, utility bills, employment letters, or other evidence that you actually reside in the place you claim. This extra step is to ensure people aren’t trying to circumvent the rules by claiming a false residence.
Impact on the Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery) Winners
If you are a winner of the Diversity Visa Lottery, you might be wondering how this affects you. The DV program (often called the Green Card Lottery) is specifically mentioned: Diversity Visa applicants for the DV-2026 program year will be subject to these new rules.
In practical terms:
- DV-2026 and Beyond: The DV-2026 program selected its winners in May 2025 (for visas issued in fiscal year 2026). Those who won will typically have interviews scheduled in late 2025 through 2026. Under this policy, as a DV selectee you will have your interview in the country where you live, not necessarily the country where you were born or applied from, if those are different. For example, if you are a DV-2026 winner originally from Kenya but currently working in South Africa, your interview would be assigned to the U.S. Embassy or consulate in South Africa (since that’s where you reside). If you prefer to interview in Kenya (your country of nationality in this example), you would need to request that specifically. You will not be allowed to choose some other country’s U.S. Embassy or consulate for convenience.
- DV Applicants Living Abroad (Expats): Many diversity visa entrants live outside their country of birth or citizenship. In the past, DV selectees often had some leeway to choose their interview location when filling out their immigrant visa forms. Now, there is no open-ended choice, it will default to the present residence. So if you moved to a different country after entering the lottery, be mindful that your interview will likely be scheduled where you moved as long as you updated your address with the authorities. Always keep your current address updated in your DS-260 application or with the KCC and NVC to ensure you’re scheduled appropriately.
- No Fast-Tracking via Other Consulates: The Diversity Visa Program timelines are tight (since all interviews must be done by September of the fiscal year). Previously, some winners from countries with backlogs attempted to have interviews in a neighboring country’s U.S. embassy to avoid missing the deadline. The new rule will mostly eliminate this strategy. DV winners will need to go through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate assigned to them (residence or possibly nationality), which means if that an Embassy or Consulate has a backlog, you must plan accordingly and act quickly with all your paperwork. There is a risk that if your designated Embassy or Consulate is very slow, you have limited recourse now that switching posts is restricted. This makes it even more crucial to submit all your documents promptly and be ready to interview when called.
- Positive Outlook: On the bright side, the State Department asserts that most DV applicants (and others) will not have their interviews canceled or moved last-minute due to this policy. As long as you follow the process, your case should continue smoothly at the assigned consulate. Additionally, if you’re working with a professional service like US Green Card Office, you’ll receive guidance on how to keep your case on track under the new rules. (For instance, we help ensure your address and details are correct, so you get your appointment scheduled at the right place and time.)
Implications for Immigrant Families and Workers
For families hoping to reunite in America and for U.S. employers sponsoring foreign talent, this policy change has several important implications:
- Reduced Flexibility: You lose the flexibility to choose a faster or more convenient consulate. The ability to shop around for shorter interview wait times is largely eliminated. If your home consulate is slow or backlogged, you can no longer simply go elsewhere, except for the limited nationality option.
- Longer Wait Times (Potentially): Some regions have higher visa demand or fewer consular officers, which could mean longer processing times for interviews. Without the option to move to a less-busy consulate, families might endure extended periods apart while waiting for interview availability. For example, if the U.S. consulate in your country is understaffed, you’ll have to wait in that queue rather than hopping to a neighboring country’s consulate that might have earlier slots.
- Increased Travel Costs: On the other end, some applicants will have to travel farther than before. If you live in a country without a U.S. embassy conducting immigrant visas, you are assigned to a designated third-country post. This could involve expensive travel, potentially international flights, hotel stays, and even visas to enter that third country. Even if you do have a local consulate, consider that if you request to interview in your home country (nationality) instead, you will have to pay for that trip. Overall, expect higher expenses for travel in cases where the interview isn’t in your immediate vicinity.
- Planning and Coordination: Families will need to plan carefully around these interviews. If you’re a family applying together, everyone might need to travel to the interview location (including children, in many cases). This requires coordinating time off work, possibly pulling kids from school for a short period, and budgeting for the trip. The new rules make such planning more crucial, since you have fewer choices to adjust the interview location to your convenience. Make sure your passport, visas for the interview country (if required), and finances are in order ahead of the interview.
- Documentation for Exceptions: If you believe you have extraordinary circumstances warranting an exception (for instance, a severe medical condition that prevents you from being in your country of residence at the time of interview), know that additional documentation will be required. Prepare to provide detailed evidence for any humanitarian requests. In most cases, however, it may be simpler to comply with the standard location requirement than to seek an exception, since exceptions are seldom granted.
In summary, while the new policy simplifies things from the government’s perspective, it can create new challenges for applicants. Families might face longer separations if their local interview wait times are long, and applicants may incur extra costs to travel to designated locations. Being aware of these potential hurdles allows you to prepare and mitigate the impact.
What Applicants Should Do Now
Whether you are already in the pipeline for an immigrant visa or planning to apply in the future, here are actionable steps given the new interview location rule:
- 1. Confirm Your Designated Consulate: If you have an ongoing immigrant visa case (petitions approved and waiting for interview scheduling), find out which consulate is designated for your country of residence. You can typically see this in communication from the NVC. The State Department has published a list of designated posts for special situations (like the table for countries without active U.S. consulates). Check that list if applicable. Otherwise, assume the consulate or embassy nearest your listed address will handle your case. It’s wise to visit the website of that U.S. embassy/consulate to review their current visa processing procedures and any local instructions.
- 2. Keep Your Address Updated: Since the process is tied to residence, make sure the U.S. immigration system knows where you actually live! If you move to a new country (or even a new region that might be under a different U.S. consulate’s jurisdiction) update your address through the appropriate channels (such as the DS-260 immigrant visa form or by notifying NVC). Your interview will be scheduled based on the last known address/residence on file. An outdated address could mean your case gets sent to the wrong consular post.
- 3. For Current Applicants – Monitor Communications: The National Visa Center will generally keep already scheduled appointments as they are. But you should still watch for any messages. If, for some reason, your interview needs to be reassigned (for example, perhaps you moved countries recently and NVC agrees to relocate your case), they will inform you. Double-check your appointment notice to ensure it’s set for the correct location based on where you live. If something looks incorrect, contact NVC right away.
- 4. Requesting a Change (If Necessary): If you absolutely need your interview in a different location (such as your country of nationality) and you haven’t been scheduled yet, you can make that request to NVC before they schedule it. If your interview has already been scheduled and you now need to change it, use the NVC Public Inquiry Form to request a transfer. Provide a clear reason and any proof (for instance, “I have relocated from Country X to Country Y for work, and I am now a legal resident of Country Y, so I request my interview be moved to the U.S. Embassy in Country Y.”). Remember not to reach out to the embassy/consulate directly for this – NVC is your point of contact.
- 5. Plan for Travel if Required: If you are in a country with no U.S. visa services and you know you’ll have to travel to a designated third country, start planning early. Some third countries might require you to obtain a visa just to go for your U.S. visa interview (for example, Syrian applicants traveling to Jordan or Lebanon would need entry permission for those countries). Research the entry requirements for the country of your interview and ensure your passport is valid for that travel. Budget for the trip, and consider timing – you might have to stay a few days in case of any additional processing or if you need a medical exam in that country.
- 6. Future Applicants – Factor in Location When Applying: If you’re just starting an immigrant visa petition or entering the Green Card Lottery, think about where you will likely be when the interview happens (which could be 1-2 years in the future for some categories). It may be beneficial to remain in the same country throughout the process if possible, to avoid complications. If you anticipate moving, that’s okay, but know that your interview location will move with you. Also, consider the workload of the consulate in your country when you plan your expected timeline. For instance, a family-based visa interview in a very high-demand country might take longer to schedule than one in a smaller country, and now you won’t have the option to choose another consulate to speed it up.
- 7. Stay Informed on Policy Changes: Immigration rules can evolve. This new rule is a reminder that staying up-to-date is crucial. Follow reliable news sources or official updates (the Visa Bulletins, U.S. Embassy announcements, etc.) to catch any changes that might affect your case. For Diversity Visa entrants, keep an eye on the U.S. State Department’s announcements related to the DV program. You will also find related news and updates by visiting News & Blog on US Green card Offices website.
- 8. Consider Professional Assistance: Navigating immigration procedures can be complex, especially with new rules coming into play. It can be helpful to work with an experienced immigration professional. At US Green Card Office, for example, we help diversity visa applicants plan ahead and avoid common pitfalls. While an immigration attorney or service cannot change the interview location rules, they can help you prepare all required documents, respond to KCC & NVC properly, and ensure you don’t miss important communications. Expert guidance can make a big difference in preventing delays or mistakes in this process. Our team stays current with policy updates (like this one) and can advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation, whether you’re entering the Green Card Lottery or going through Family Sponsorship.
Planning Ahead and Looking Forward
This policy change underscores the importance of planning ahead and being proactive in your U.S. immigration journey. The State Department has tried to reassure applicants that most will not have their interviews canceled or randomly moved as a result of the change. In other words, if you’re already scheduled somewhere, you’ll likely stay on track. For future cases, the key is understanding early on where you will be interviewed and preparing accordingly.
From a positive perspective, having a set consular post could make the process more predictable, you know exactly where your interview will be, so you can focus on preparing for the interview itself (gathering documents, practicing for the interview questions, medical exams, etc.). No matter where your interview occurs, all U.S. embassy’s & consulates follow the same standards for immigrant visa interviews, so the substance of the interview should be similar. It’s mostly the logistics that change.
Stay positive and informed: Changes in immigration policy can be concerning, but they are manageable with the right approach. Make sure to read all official instructions that come your way. If you’re unsure about something (for example, what counts as proper proof of residence, or how to fill out the Public Inquiry Form), seek clarification – either from official sources or trusted immigration services.
Finally, remember that you don’t have to navigate this alone. US Green Card Office is here to support you at every step, especially if you are a Diversity Visa Applicant. Our mission is to make the process as smooth as possible for you. We can help ensure your Green Card Lottery entry is done correctly, remind you of important deadlines, and guide you on what to do after winning, including how to handle new rules like this interview requirement.
The dream of immigrating to the United States is still very much alive and achievable. With careful planning, adherence to the new guidelines, and possibly some expert help, you can successfully work through these changes. Good luck to all applicants and families – with preparation and the right support, you’ll be ready for your interview when the time comes, wherever in the world it may be!
