September 7, 2025-Published by Cyril
The U.S. Department of State has rolled out a sweeping new directive for non-immigrant visa applications, mandating that applicants must now schedule their interviews strictly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
The update, published on September 6, 2025, immediately overrides previous guidance that allowed flexibility in choosing interview locations. The State Department clarified that this adjustment is aimed at streamlining visa adjudications, managing backlogs, and strengthening security.
The new rules particularly impact nationals from conflict-affected or diplomatically restricted nations, with designated visa locations including Afghanistan (Islamabad), Belarus (Vilnius, Warsaw), Cuba (Georgetown), Iran (Dubai), Russia (Astana, Warsaw), Venezuela (Bogota), and Yemen (Riyadh).
Applicants are warned of three key changes:
- Residence Requirement: Proof of residence in the application country is mandatory.
- Non-Refundable Fees: Fees cannot be transferred or refunded for applications filed outside one’s country of nationality or residence.
- Appointment Delays: Those applying outside their country should expect longer wait times.
Existing appointments, however, “will generally not be cancelled,” the Department assured, noting that exceptions may still apply for humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons.
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In Nigeria, the policy is a game-changer. For years, Nigerians who couldn’t secure interview slots in Abuja or Lagos often turned to embassies in Cameroon, Ghana, Namibia, the Ivory Coast, Canada, or even the Dominican Republic to fast-track their applications. That option is now off the table.
With this restriction, Nigerians and applicants worldwide must apply solely within their country of residence or nationality, a shift that is expected to reshape the visa application experience amidst already lengthy wait times.
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