The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a significant policy change that will affect all immigrant visa applicants beginning November 1, 2025.
Under the new rule, applicants must attend their visa interviews in the consular district where they currently live or, when applicable, in their country of nationality.
Until now, applicants had the option of choosing the embassy or consulate most convenient for them, often selecting locations with shorter wait times or easier access. That flexibility will no longer be available once the rule takes effect.
The DOS said the move is part of the Trump administration’s wider push to tighten immigration rules and increase oversight of the visa process.
Officials argue that requiring applicants to process visas in their home regions will make it harder to bypass strict checks and will improve security screening.
The new requirement covers all immigrant visa categories.
This includes family-based visas, employment-based visas, and winners of the Diversity Visa lottery. In a statement, the DOS clarified that “rare exceptions” may be granted for humanitarian or medical emergencies, but it did not explain how those exceptions would be evaluated or approved.
For countries where U.S. embassies remain closed or where consular services are suspended, the State Department has already designated alternative embassies in nearby nations.
This means that some applicants could still be required to travel across borders, but they will no longer be able to choose freely.
Families and employers are expected to feel the impact most strongly.
Families petitioning for loved ones could face longer wait times, higher travel expenses, and stricter documentation checks.
Employers who sponsor immigrant workers may also be hit with new costs and delays, particularly if workers are required to attend interviews in third countries.
While the DOS stressed that “most applicants will not have their interviews canceled or moved,” immigration attorneys are urging families and businesses to prepare early.
They warn that scheduling challenges, travel logistics, and increased consular backlogs could create serious setbacks.
For many immigrants and their sponsors, the new policy adds another hurdle to an already complex process.
Critics say the rule is designed to discourage applications by making the system more burdensome, while supporters argue it will enhance security and reduce fraud.
Either way, the November deadline is looming, and families as well as employers are being advised to plan ahead to avoid disruptions once the policy comes into force.
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